Because they don't want devices to be repaired, they want devices to become obsolete or irreparable within 5 years so that consumers can buy a new device.
Also note how Apple pretends to care about their environmental impact, while being actively hostile towards repair efforts, that would reduce the amount of e-waste generated. Absolute hypocrites.
I'm not an Apple apologist by any measure, but I don't think that's really true. At least last time I looked into it, Apple supported their devices with software updates for longer than the majority of other vendors in the market (for the majority of their devices at least).
Of course Apple is a company that likes to keep a tight control of their market and their image, and you could maybe say they go to the point of control freakiness in that regard. Any potential loss in image regarding the quality of their products is a significant cost to them; being able to charge a premium for replacement parts probably doesn't hurt either. If independent repair shops and consumers lose something in repair costs and freedom, that probably doesn't tip Apple's scale in any way. For the rest of the society it could, and if needed, Apple (or any company) needs to be able to be criticized for that, and legislation needs to cater to that and not to the needs of any single corporation.
Edit: It might be worth pointing out that while yes, Apple would probably like you to buy a new phone within five years, e.g. many Android devices aren't supported for more than a couple of years. I agree you shouldn't necessarily be forced to buy a new device even every five years, but most other vendors aren't any better in that regard.
>Apple supported their devices with software updates for longer than the majority of other vendors
The situation is exactly the opposite when it comes to computers/laptops. I can still have latest version of Windows on my father's 2011 laptop.
Secondly, this whole 'loss is image' is a giant smoke screen. Consider that you can repair a BMW in a random garage with unauthorised parts and incompetent repairmen - and you might even die as a result. Does BMW's image suffer? Is their brand worth nothing?
The consumer can comprehend the consequences of repairing his device where he chooses, this is not medical equipment. Using copyright to restrict repairs is a bastardisation of copyright law - it's intended purpose is wholly different.
I didn't say I agree with preventing unauthorized repairs. I don't, and my comment wasn't meant as apologetics.
I was merely speculating on why it might make sense for Apple to want that kind of control even if it isn't in the best interests of anybody else. The costs to everybody else just have no weight to them, as long as their customers keep paying, and thus even a small potential matter of image could weigh more to them. That doesn't mean you, me or anybody else should support that line of though.
BMW might not mind having that kind of control either if their customers and the legislation were to put up with it.
Really? They do this just to work at cross-purposes to their other teams which spend time and money to maintain software updates for older phones, 4-5 years longer than competitors do? How do you explain that one?
Why not? It is a big company, with different teams having somewhat different priorities. It is perfectly reasonable for the upper management to leave the tech department supporting the devices for a long time, and thus maintain and increase the brand value, while keep the anti-consumer anti-environment business policies regarding repair. They can brag about how the Apple devices are great and long lived, and sell lots of new units/repairs every cycle. It makes perfect sense.
In the mobile space Apple is transitioning to a services and ecosystem business as the space commodifies. You buy an iPhone and then get Apple Music, TV+, News+, AirPod, Watch, Glass etc.
If you look at the Android OEMs they don't even support phones after 2 years. And Apple would likely increase upgrade support for more than 5 years if those phones weren't massively underpowered.
You've got a point about Android manufacturers not bothering with supporting their models for long. At the same time, Apple does make it complicated to do cheap repairs. Why would that be... they have to keep the brand status... and also new units to sell, just as Android manufacturers do.
Also note how Apple pretends to care about their environmental impact, while being actively hostile towards repair efforts, that would reduce the amount of e-waste generated. Absolute hypocrites.