Apple CEO Tim Cook has explained why the company releases a new iPhone every year, despite criticism that it is unnecessary and wasteful. In an interview with Brut, Cook said that it is for the people who want it.

"I think having an iPhone every year for those people that want it is a great thing," Cook said.

Cook also talked about Apple's trade-in program, which allows users to exchange their old iPhones for new ones. He said that this helps to reduce waste and gives users the option to upgrade their phones more frequently if they want.

"And what we do is we allow people to trade in their phone, and so we then resell that phone if it's still working," Cook said. "And if it's not working, we've got ways of disassembling it and taking the materials to make a new iPhone out of."

Apple has been criticized by some for its annual iPhone release cycle, with some arguing that it is unnecessary and that users should be able to keep their phones for longer. However, Apple has defended its practice, saying that it allows the company to innovate and release new features and technologies to its users more quickly.

Cook has also said that Apple is committed to sustainability and that the company is working to reduce its environmental impact. In 2021, Apple announced that it plans to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Whether or not it is necessary for Apple to launch a new iPhone every year is a matter of opinion. However, it is clear that the company is committed to providing its users with the latest and greatest technology, and that it is taking steps to reduce its environmental impact.