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Understanding Apple’s iPhone Support Lifespan
Apple’s commitment to supporting its iPhones is impressive, often extending beyond six to eight years, far surpassing the support lifespan of most Android devices. If you’re curious about the longevity of your iPhone’s support or considering an upgrade, this guide will provide you with the necessary insights.
We’ll dive into the support duration for each iPhone model, including the latest iPhone 15, and highlight which models are now classified as obsolete or vintage by Apple.
iPhone Support Duration
To comprehend the duration of Apple’s support for its iPhones, it’s crucial to understand what it means for a device to become “too old”. Essentially, this is a result of the device’s inability to meet the new demands placed on its internal components by recent OS updates or the latest apps’ technical requirements.
When a new iOS update is released and your device can no longer meet these demands, support for that device ceases. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of every iPhone model, detailing their release dates, discontinuation dates, and iOS compatibility.
Please note that the end dates for support are estimates based on past releases and may be subject to future changes.
| Model | Release date | Discontinuation date | Supported | iOS compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone | 29-Jun-07 | 15-Jul-18 | No | iOS 3.0 |
| iPhone 3G | 9-Jun-08 | 7-Jun-10 | No | iOS 4 |
| iPhone 3GS | 19-Jun-09 | 12-Sep-12 | No | iOS 6 |
| iPhone 4 | 24-Jun-10 | 10-Sep-13 | No | iOS 7 |
| iPhone 4s | 14-Oct-11 | 4-Sep-14 | No | iOS 9 |
| iPhone 5C | 20-Sep-13 | 9-Sep-15 | No | iOS 10 |
| iPhone 5S | 20-Sep-13 | 21-Mar-16 | No | iOS 12 |
| iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus | 25-Sep-14 | 7-Sep-16 | No | iOS 12 |
| iPhone 6S / 6S Plus | 25-Sep-15 | 12-Sep-18 | No | iOS 15 |
| iPhone SE (1st generation) | 31-Mar-16 | 12-Sep-18 | No | iOS 15 |
| iPhone 7 / 7 Plus | 16-Sep-16 | 10-Sep-19 | No | iOS 15 |
| iPhone 8 / 8 Plus | 22-Sep-17 | 15-Apr-20 | Yes –Until 2023 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone X | 3-Nov-17 | 12-Sep-18 | Yes –Until 2024 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone XS / XS Max | 21-Sep-18 | 10-Sep-19 | Yes –Until 2025 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone XR | 26-Oct-18 | 26-Oct-18 | Yes –Until 2025 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 11 | 20-Sep-19 | 7-Sep-22 | Yes –Until 2026 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max | 20-Sep-19 | 13-Oct-20 | Yes –Until 2026 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone SE (2nd generation) | 24-Apr-20 | 8-Mar-22 | Yes –Until 2027 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 12 | 23-Oct-20 | In production | Yes –Until 2027 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 12 mini | 13-Nov-20 | 7-Sep-22 | Yes –Until 2027 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 12 Pro | 23-Oct-20 | 14-Sep-21 | Yes –Until 2027 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | 13-Nov-20 | 14-Sep-21 | Yes –Until 2027 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 13 / 13 mini | 24-Sep-21 | In production | Yes –Until 2028 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max | 24-Sep-21 | 7-Sep-22 | Yes –Until 2028 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone SE (3rd generation) | 18-Mar-22 | In production | Yes –Until 2029 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 14 | 16-Sep-22 | In production | Yes –Until 2029 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | 7-Oct-22 | In production | Yes –Until 2029 | iOS 16 |
| iPhone 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max | 16-Sep-22 | In production | Yes –Until 2029 | iOS 16 |
Obsolete and Vintage iPhones: What’s the Difference?
When discussing the duration of Apple’s support for older iPhone models, it’s important to understand the company’s definitions of “obsolete” and “vintage”. According to Apple, owners of iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, or Apple TV products can obtain service and parts from Apple service providers for a minimum of 5 years from when Apple last distributed the product for sale.
This support can be extended up to seven years, depending on the availability of parts.
Obsolete iPhones are models that have been discontinued for more than seven years, while vintage iPhones are those that have not been sold for more than five years but less than seven years.
Key Takeaways
In summary, Apple’s commitment to supporting its products is remarkably long-lasting. While Apple’s devices may carry a higher price tag than their Android counterparts, the assurance of up to seven years of support can provide a sense of security for customers, making the investment worthwhile.
As you can see from the data, Apple ensures compatibility with the latest iOS 16 for older models, such as the iPhone 8/8 Plus, and iOS 15 compatibility for handsets as old as the iPhone 6S.
Apple continues to push critical security updates on iOS 14 for supported devices. However, some models become obsolete, and Apple’s official support ends for these devices.
It’s also worth noting that as the 5G revolution continues to grow, 3G networks will be phased out in the United States and other countries. Some carriers will no longer offer 3G service, and users with older devices may need to upgrade to a newer device to maintain connectivity.
In conclusion, purchasing a refurbished product is an excellent way to save money, support the circular economy, and acquire a fully functional device with a warranty.
