Nov. 13, 2023
By Ciccio Infurna
Deputy Editor
The iPhone 15 was released on Sept. 22, with the main change to the phone being that it is made with titanium instead of stainless steel, which is more durable and weighs less.
The iPhone 15 also contains the new Action button, which replaces the Ring/Silent switch that has been around since the first iPhone. It also has a Dynamic Island, a feature first introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. The iPhone 15 has a USB-C charger that charges faster than previous cables, charging the iPhone up to 50% in 30 minutes. It also allows for up to 20 times faster file transfers.
Despite these features, not everyone is a fan of the latest iPhone.
Senior Elida Kuka said she is irritated that Apple is releasing iPhones so frequently, with the last iPhone being released on Sept. 16, 2022.
“It is annoying that every so often they come up with a phone that is slightly better than the last,” Kuka said. “The change is not significant enough to feel the need to switch your phone to a newer version.”
Kuka said Apple will end up hindering its own sales if it releases new iPhone models too often. Since the iPhone premiered in 2007, Apple has released a new model every year.
“I do believe that the constant releasing of iPhones will lead to consumer fatigue, especially since they change the chargers,” Kuka said.
Technology specialist Mr. Belmont, who teaches English and public speaking, said because there is a small window of time between iPhone releases, there is little that differentiates the latest iPhone model from the previous one.
“If they are rushing devices to market, it probably is tough to make truly innovative changes,” Belmont said.
According to the technology website CNET, the frequent release of new iPhone models can have a significant negative effect on the environment, as Apple is constantly disposing of old materials to create new phones and making older phones obsolete.
Belmont said Apple executives are probably not focusing on the environment in their corporate decisions.
“[Apple’s] main priority is to sell products and make money, not help the environment. Although they have begun some environmental initiatives, some would say that they are more marketing techniques than altruistic efforts,” Belmont said.
According to the business magazine Forbes, all Apple locations are run on clean and carbon-neutral energy, and Apple also plans on eliminating all plastic packaging for its products.
Like Belmont, senior Sebastian Liuba said Apple’s actions will likely have a negative impact on the planet.
“They will have to constantly dispose of older iPhones, which is not healthy for the environment,” Liuba said. “These will most definitely affect our futures and our environments.”
“If they are rushing devices to market, it probably is tough to make truly innovative changes.”
Liuba said corporations like Apple should be held accountable for the consequences of their actions.
“These companies clearly could [not] care less about how the consumers truly feel and even less about the environmental impact they are having on the world,” Liuba said.
In spite of their environmental effects, Liuba said he enjoys the frequent releases of new iPhones.
“The quality of the iPhone gets better every year,” Liuba said. “For example, they started adding the frosted glass to the back of the pro models, and it gives it a more premium feel and look. With this new iPhone, they also added a titanium frame, which adds to the quality and durability of the phone.”
Liuba said he does not yet have an iPhone 15 but hopes to purchase one in the future.
“I love the look of it and want to get it really bad. I think that it would be nice to have,” said Liuba.
