Why mobile device OEMs are creating trash globally?

Purchasing a mobile / handheld device is becoming a regular activity for most individuals irrespective of their profession, thanks to the ever-evolving technologies and the eternal human itch to own the latest and fastest device in the market. The reducing prices of handheld devices is also fueling it further and pushing the handheld device sales northwards.

(Image credit - ? Johanna Goodyear | Dreamstime Stock Photos)

A study by Gartner predicts 2.3 billion mobile handheld devices (mobile phones and ultramobiles [Chromebooks, thin and light clamshell designs, and slate and hybrid devices running Windows 8]) to be sold in 2015. The mobile devices sales will be further boosted by the BYOD strategies being implemented by enterprises across the globe and Gartner has a view on that too. Gartner foresees increase from 65% (in 2013) to 72% (by 2017) in handheld computing devices purchased by consumers as the devices will need to be designed for consumers from enterprises requiring higher compute power and resources in order to handle the multiplied workload.

As the mobile phones start to replace multiple devices and physical objects like wallet, cards etc; the need for owning a handheld device will only continue to increase. The "Internet of Things" will push the number of objects that a handheld device will / can interact with, giving a further boost to their sales.

For the scope of this article, even the cameras (all types), portable speakers, microphones etc. can be considered and the stats of those items (if calculated and considered) would further emphasize the point being made here.

We, the consumers, with the never-ending want to own a better handheld device; and the manufacturers of those devices, are so engulfed in producing and using these devices that we can’t see the volumes of trash being manufactured and purchased in the whole process, wasting precious investments which can be used for research and development.

The word "trash" refers to the accessories that are included in the box pack whenever we purchase a new handheld device, be it online or through a shop. In a typical box pack of a handheld device, we get the device, a headset (approx. 1 meter cord), a charger, a USB connector (approx. 1 meter cord) for connecting charger to the device and a couple of extra ear-buds.

Why are the accessories being referred to as “Trash”??

In most cases, when a consumer purchases a new handheld device, the purchase is driven by the need for a better device even though the consumer already owns one. The new device will come with its own accessories making the accessories of older device redundant as we generally don’t need 2 headsets or connectors. Some may argue that we could use one at home and other in the car or at the workplace; but if that’s really what is needed, then those accessories can also be purchased on need basis. Why pay for them while purchasing the device, especially when we may not need them? And how many of us would really want multiple headsets / USB cables?

Considering the stats from Gartner, approximately 2400 kilometers (@ 1500 miles) each of USB and headset cables would be produced, sold and purchased with the handheld devices sold during 2015. This is just for 1 year, and that too, for handheld devices without considering devices like cameras and other electronic devices that come with USB cables / headsets. If the manufacturing, marketing and shipping costs about US $0.50 per meter, the money spent for these tasks will be more than US $2 billion for USB cables and headsets. Most of the buyers of these devices would already have a device and can use the existing accessories with new device, unless they are changing brands, which brings up the next point.

The manufacturers may argue that the accessories help them differentiate from the competition and create a brand image / impression:

1. Is that really a valid justification?
2. Don’t the manufacturers have enough technical differentiators?
3. If they don’t, then shouldn’t they be investing more in R&D instead of using accessories as differentiators?

We all know that one of the largest handheld device manufacturer provides a cable which can only be used with its device, and that too with the specific version:

1. Is that really necessary?
2. Can’t they provide a standard micro-USB port to its devices so any micro-USB cable can be used?

They may argue that they want their consumers to get the best quality accessories. Well, their consumers can purchase those from manufacturers if needed - why just pack them with each device?

They should be willing to make this change considering a larger global interest in reducing the trash being generated as most of the old cables are just thrown away and dumped. There are organizations that recycle old cables, but how many such organizations are really active? Is there a global awareness about this ever increasing metallic and plastic trash which can be easily controlled? There could be some awareness in a handful of countries, but not across the globe.

The time has come to seriously consider standardizing the connector ports of handheld devices and stop giving USB cables and headsets in the box pack. This has a number of benefits, some of which are:

1. Users get to choose the accessories they want.
2. Cost of these accessories gets deducted from the total manufacturing cost, thereby reducing the prices of handheld devices by some percent and also generating savings for device manufacturers.
3. Reduction in waste generated due to users frequently changing handsets.
4. Additional funds for research and development through savings achieved by not providing these accessories.
5. Offers interchangeability of accessories.

Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any organization (global or local to a specific country) focusing on this aspect of handheld devices; and if there's one, then that organization needs to step up for this task. The organization can decide the best and most commonly used connector sizes and get a concurrence from all mobile device manufacturers. If there isn’t such an organization, then its high time one is set up and the largest handheld device manufacturers of the world need to take a step in this direction as their global responsibility in reducing waste. Numbers derived from the "Internet of Things" study by Cisco can also help in estimating the savings this concept will provide.

There appear to be more benefits than drawbacks of implementing this, although it would need some serious planning and action from the handheld device manufactures but it certainly would be worthwhile in the long run.

Do you agree it’s high time to ditch the accessories in handheld device box pack? Do you think not getting the charger, USB cable and headset with the new device would be much of an issue?