The sociologist Zygmunt Bauman wrote that "[c]onsumer markets [...] breed dissatisfaction with the products used by consumers to satisfy their needs -- and they also cultivate constant disaffection with the acquired identity and the set of needs by which such an identity is defined." (https://www.thoughtco.com/consumerist-culture-3026120) Consumerism has a big effect of the need that people feel to have the latest technologies because it justifies and persuades it. Usually, people don't really need to upgrade their technology but they feel the need to because everyone else is upgrading or because so many new products are being released that it makes theirs seem old and useless, even if it works perfectly fine. This is really harmful for the environment because people have to dispose of their old technology to make room for the new. People should reflect on the purpose of their upgrading and purchasing and the harm it will cause before they go through with it.

I strongly agree. Most people don't need a new phone but because the latest model is so commercialized, they get the urge to buy it anyway. Because of the high demands, factories work more to process more amounts of manufactured goods, which leads to high carbon emissions. It is important to understand your wants and needs before you go and buy/ consume things. This not only goes for the latest iPhone but for everything, including transportation, food, and power usage.