Apple is expanding its list of outdated and older devices with a couple of new additions. The latest update adds the iPhone 6 Plus to the obsolete list and the iPad mini 4 to the old list. If you still own these devices, you’ll be able to continue using them, but there will be some changes that might make you eventually want to upgrade to something newer.
What does it mean if the iPhone 6 Plus is ‘obsolete’?
There will be some changes with the iPhone 6 Plus joining the deprecated page. However, before addressing them, it is important to note that a device is obsolete when “Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago.” This is an important distinction, as it is not based on when Apple released the device but on when it officially stopped selling it.
What will be different for iPhone 6 Plus owners? Apple’s support page says: “Apple discontinues all hardware services for obsolete products and service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products.”
So if your iPhone 6 Plus experiences a hardware issue, you’ll have trouble finding official repairs. You can continue using the phone for now, but if something breaks, you’ll probably want to get one of the best iPhones that will receive extended support.
Here is the full list of iPhone products that Apple now considers obsolete with the addition of the iPhone 6 Plus:
- iPhone
- iPhone 3G (mainland China) 8 GB
- iPhone 3G 8GB, 16GB
- iPhone 3GS (Mainland China) 16GB, 32GB
- iPhone 3GS (8GB)
- iPhone 3GS 16GB, 32GB
- iPhone 4 CDMA
- iPhone 4 CDMA (8GB)
- iPhone 4 16GB, 32GB
- iPhone 4 GSM (8GB), black
- Iphone 4s
- iPhone 4S (8GB)
- Iphone 5c
- iPhone 6 Plus
What does it mean if the iPad mini 4 is ‘vintage’?
The changes are a little less serious for iPad mini 4 owners, but they are moving the phone towards the dreaded obsolete stage of life. They are considered vintage products when “Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 5 and less than 7 years ago.”
For older products, such as the iPad mini 4, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers will continue to offer repairs for up to two more years (when they become obsolete), but these repairs are subject to parts availability. If the parts dry out, there is no guarantee that repairs will be possible.
Also joining the iPad mini 4 on the vintage list are the (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, but other colors are not yet on the list because they have been available longer.
Here is the full list of iPad models on the old list:
- iPad Air cell phone
- iPad Air cellular (TD LTE)
- iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi
- iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular
- iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi
- iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + 4G, GSM + CDMA
- iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi
- iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi + cellular
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi, mobile
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation) Wi-Fi
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation) Wi-Fi, cellular
- iPad Wi-Fi + 4G, CDMA
- iPad Wi-Fi + 4G, GSM
- iPad (5th generation) Wi-Fi
- iPad (5th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular
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