Apple issue official information on which iPhone models are now considered ‘vintage’ or ‘obsolete’.
Apple release a new iPhone model every year. The current model is the iPhone 13 series, with the iPhone 14 expected in September this year. As new models arrive, older ones gradually become obsolete and no longer supported by the tech giant.
This means Apple will no longer sell the devices and will stop offering repairs on them (although that doesn’t stop you using another company who offer phone repairs).
So, is your iPhone about to become classed as ‘vintage’ – or in some cases what Apple officially defines as ‘obsolete’?
Products are considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 5 and less than 7 years ago.
Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago.
iPhone models as late as the iPhone 6 Plus are set to become obsolete, according to Apple.
Vintage iPhones set to become obsolete are as follows:
- iPhone 4 (8GB)
- iPhone 4S
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5C
- iPhone 6 Plus
Apple said: “Apple discontinues hardware service for certain technologically obsolete products. Your device is supported by ongoing OS updates and backed by a network of more than 5,000 Apple-certified repair locations that you can count on if something unexpected happens.”
Which iPhone models are already obsolete?
The original iPhone and products all the way up to the iPhone 4s (8GB) are now considered obsolete by Apple on their website.
The full list is as follows:
- iPhone
- iPhone 3G (China mainland) 8GB
- iPhone 3G 8GB, 16GB
- iPhone 3GS (China mainland) 16GB, 32GB
- iPhone 3GS (8GB)
- iPhone 3GS 16GB, 32GB
- iPhone 4 CDMA
- iPhone 4 CDMA (8GB)
- iPhone 4 16GB, 32GB
- iPhone 4 GSM (8GB), Black
- iPhone 4S (8GB)
Can I get iOS 15 on my iPhone?
iOS 15 is the latest software operating system for iPhone. Apple is famous for offering a full 5 years of software updates for it’s mobile products. This means that the following iPhone models are compatible with iOS 15:
- iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2020)
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS and XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
- iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
- iPhone SE (2016)
If you have any of the following models, they don’t support iOS 15:
- iPhone 4
- iPhone 4s
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 6
If you’re on the hunt for a new iPhone, you can compare the latest deals here.
Compare the UK’s best smartphone and SIM only deals at directmobiles.co.uk
Subscribe for mobile news, tips and exclusive offers straight in your inbox
Register your interest for the latest smartphones before they launch
Visit our YouTube channel Direct Mobiles TV for the latest smartphone reviews
Follow us and never miss an update…
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/directmobilesuk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DirectMobilesUK
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directmobiles/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/direct-mobiles-uk/
