For those of us who are the antithesis of a techie and are still holding on to some of the oldest iPhones around, it’s not unusual to feel the panic as a new year of tech rolls around. Will my iPhone still work this year, or will it become an obsolete iPhone? We’re here to help by giving you the latest list of obsolete iPhones for 2023.
What Does It Mean for an iPhone to Be Obsolete?
First, it’s important to understand what an obsolete iPhone is. Apple explains that “Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago.” When mobile phones are officially obsolete, Apple no longer offers hardware service for them and service providers can’t order parts for them.
Apple considers a product vintage when they have stopped distributing it for sale more than 5 years ago but fewer than 7 years. For the most part, Apple Retail Stores make no distinction between the two labels. Any products falling under either label can’t be fixed using Apple parts. Also, iOS isn’t updated on obsolete iPhones.
Why Are There Obsolete Phones?
Apple is one of the biggest tech companies in the world. This 47-year-old giant had an annual revenue in 2021 of $365.817 billion and is definitely one of the most popular. They need to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in the market. As technology evolves, newer software updates and applications require more powerful hardware, which may not be compatible with older models. As a result, Apple eventually stops offering support for older models, making them obsolete over time.
What iPhones Are Already Obsolete or Vintage?
Vintage
iPhone 4 (8 GB)
iPhone 5
iPhone 5S
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 6S (32 GB)
iPhone 6S Plus (32 GB)
Obsolete
iPhone
iPhone 3G (8 GB, 16 GB)
iPhone 3GS (8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB))
iPhone 4 CDMA
iPhone 4 CDMA (8 GB)
iPhone 4 (16 GB, 32 GB)
iPhone 4 GSM (8 GB) Black
iPhone 4S
iPhone 4S (8 GB)
iPhone 5C
2023 List of Obsolete iPhones
It’s expected that the models listed below will become obsolete iPhones or will no longer receive software updates after the release of iOS 17, which is expected to happen in mid-2023.
- iPhone 8 (Plus)
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
- iPhone 6(S) and 6(S) Plus
- iPhone 5, 5S, and 5C
- iPhone 4 and 4S
- Older models
What to Do if Your Phone is on the Obsolete iPhones List
If your mobile phone will soon be essentially forgotten by the tech world, all is not lost. You have a lot of options, whether it be buying the newest model or trying one of the Best Refurbished Phones in 2023. It’s also important to consider what you’ll do with your old phone. Some like to hold on to it as a relic from the past, but if you’ve decided to get rid of it to reduce some clutter around your home, recycling it is a way to support sustainability.
