APPLE MOVES IPHONE 5 AND PHASED-OUT MODEL TO OBSOLETE LIST WORLDWIDE
Apple has officially moved the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 from its "vintage" status to an obsolete list, effectively ending all repair support for these devices globally as of March 16-17. The company classified both models—specifically noting that repairs are no longer available—as part of a standard policy where products become vintage five years after their final distribution and then transitioned into the "obsolete" category shortly thereafter.
Key Points
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1Apple officially added both the iPhone 4 (specifically with eight gigabytes of storage) and the first Lightning-equipped model, the iPhone 5 to its global list of obsolete products.
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2This status change moved these devices from their previous 'vintage' classification on March 16 or earlier in that week's updates by Apple Inc.
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3The decision signifies a complete end-of-life for repairs as no longer supported parts are available and official support documentation has been updated to reflect this obsolescence.
Developments
Perspectives
Apple officially declared its first Lightning-equipped phone, the iPhone 5 (launched in 2012), as an obsolete product worldwide by moving it from 'vintage' to a new category of obsolescence.
— [Mar 17, 08:01] Apple erklärt das erste Lightning-iPhone für obsolet (Maclife.de)The iPhone 5 is now officially obsolete and repairs are no longer available for this device that launched over a decade ago in the year of its debut.
— [Mar 17, 06:18] Apple retires a legendary iPhone (Cultofmac)Apple has moved both the iPhone 5 model with eight gigabytes and an older version to close out support for one of their most important early designs by updating its list on March 16.
— [Mar 17, 08:24] Apple retires a legendary phone (Forums.macrumors.com)Apple has added the iPhone models four and five to an obsolete products worldwide as they generally consider it vintage after stopping sales for about six years but now officially mark them.
— [Mar 16, 20:48] Apple adds two phone model (9to5mac)Apple has updated its support documentation globally by classifying the iPhone five and four as an obsolete product marking a final chapter for devices that originally debuted in twenty twelve with new features.
— [Mar 16, 20:48] Apple adds two phone model (Iphoneincanada.ca)Apple has officially declared the first Lightning-equipped phone model—the iPhone 5—obsolete because seven years have passed since sales ceased in July of that year's release cycle (2013). Consequently, Apple and its service providers will no longer provide hardware support or replacement parts for this device.
Apple has officially moved support off the table for the iPhone 5 by classifying both the device and an eight-gigabyte model as "obsolete," ending all hardware service and part availability. This decision follows Apple's standard policy of discontinuing repairs after seven years, marking a significant end to repair options despite the phone's historical role in introducing key features like Lightning connectivity.