[Lisa Jackson, vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives] said Apple now strives to design and build durable products that last as long as possible. That means long-lasting hardware coupled with long-lasting software. She pointed out that iOS 12 runs even on iPhone 5S, now five years old. Because iPhones last longer, you can keep using them or pass them on to someone who will continue to use them after you upgrade.
She said that “keeping iPhones in use” is the best thing for the planet.
At this point in the presentation I wondered if everyone would rush out of the room and call their broker to sell Apple shares.
My thoughtful take on yesterday’s Apple’s news is that the Series 4 Apple Watch was the most important announcement by far. Writing at Asymco, Horace Dediu has an even more thoughtful take, noting that Apple made an incredibly public repudiation of planned obsolescence: Asymco: Lasts Longer