Apple has officially added the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 to its "Obsolete Products" list, one of two lists the company maintains to manage repairs and spare parts for its legacy devices.
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According to a report by the tech news site MacRumors, Apple transitioned the iPhone 5 and the 8GB iPhone 4 from the "Vintage" list to the "Obsolete" list on Monday. This move signifies that Apple will no longer provide hardware parts or repair services for these specific models.
Understanding Apple’s Categories
Apple’s policy for aging devices follows a specific timeline:
Vintage Products: Devices are added to this list five years after Apple stops distributing them for sale. Service for these devices is subject to parts availability.
Obsolete Products: Devices move to this list seven years after Apple stops distributing them through its retail or online stores. Once a product is marked obsolete, Apple discontinues all hardware service with no exceptions.
A Look Back at the Models
iPhone 4 (8GB): Launched in 2011 and withdrawn from distribution channels in 2013. While most other iPhone 4 variants had already been marked as obsolete, the 8GB version remained on the "Vintage" list until this recent update.
iPhone 5: Launched in 2012 and discontinued in 2013, it was added to the "Vintage" list in 2018. The iPhone 5 was notable for being the first iPhone to feature the Lightning port and briefly held the title of the world's best-selling smartphone shortly after its release.
What This Means for Users
Although both phones are now officially obsolete in Apple’s records, some third-party repair providers may still be able to service them. However, users should be aware that these providers may not have access to genuine Apple spare parts.
