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Tech Desk Ground Report: Apple’s new list shocks millions of old iPhone users. Global tech giant Apple, while updating its official list of vintage and obsolete products, has officially put its very popular old iPhone model in the ‘obsolete’ category. In the world of tech, this move is colloquially considered to be the ‘official departure’ of the product. Under this policy of Apple, when a device completes more than seven years of its sale, the company completely removes it from hardware and service support.
This is a big blow for millions of users around the world including India who were using their old but strong iPhone as a secondary phone, music player or daily calling device. Now the doors of Apple’s official service center for this device are closed forever.
What does ‘Obsolete’ mean: Understand Apple’s policy Apple mainly divides its old products into two categories, which are very important for every user to understand:
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Vintage: When a device has been no longer in sale for more than 5 years but less than 7 years, Apple declares it ‘old’. During this period, repairing facilities are available in the service center depending on the availability of parts (Inventory).
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Obsolete: When a full 7 years have passed since the sale of a device, it becomes ‘obsolete’. Once Apple falls into this category, its Authorized Service Providers and Apple Stores completely stop providing spare parts for that device and providing any hardware repair service. Some limited conditions apply only to select Mac laptop battery cases.
What will be the impact on existing users: Will the phone stop working immediately? If you have this iPhone model, there is no need to worry that the phone will suddenly stop turning on. Your device will continue to work as before and will continue to work for calling, basic apps and media playback. However, in practice you will face the following major difficulties:
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No official hardware repair: If the phone’s screen breaks, the battery gets damaged or the motherboard malfunctions, no official Apple service center will repair it.
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Lack of original parts: It will be almost impossible to get original genuine parts of this model in the market and users will have to depend only on third-party or local repair shops.
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End of Software and App Support: This device has already stopped receiving new iOS updates and security patches. In the coming time, important apps like WhatsApp, banking apps and YouTube will also stop working on old OS versions.
Big risk regarding security and data privacy The biggest threat that an old smartphone faces after it is officially retired is its data security. Since Apple will no longer release any security updates or vulnerability fixes for this device, this phone becomes vulnerable to cyber fraud, malware and hacking. Cyber security experts recommend that one should never do net banking, UPI payments, personal email or sensitive financial transactions on such old and unsupported devices.
What are the options for users now: Right time to upgrade If you are still dependent on this old iPhone, you are mainly left with the following options:
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Upgrade to a newer model: If this is your primary phone, the safest decision would be to back up your data and switch to a new iPhone or a modern budget smartphone.
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Create secondary device: As long as the hardware condition of the phone is fine, use it only for calling, alarm or offline media player at home without any sensitive data.
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Local repairing support: If the battery life has reduced and you want to keep the phone running, you can get a third-party battery replacement from a trusted local repair center, although its performance will not be the same as the original.
Apple updating its Vintage and Obsolete lists from time to time is part of a regular technical process so that the company can focus on its new hardware and software ecosystem. Users who currently have this phone running safely can continue using it as normal, but it is now important to plan to switch to a modern device for security reasons.