Apple Officially Obsoletes iPhone 5, Ending Repair Support

[quagmire]

I think the X/Xs might, but it depends a bit on how quickly notches disappear. There is a risk that the X/Xs ends up being regarded as that weird late 2010s transitional stage between bezels and full-screen - "what were we thinking?"

I don't think the notch will disappear anytime soon. Plus I don't find it a huge issue and eye sore personally. The notch may shrink if Apple finds a way to maybe integrate two of the cameras into one. Lets say they find a way to put the Truth Depth camera system behind the screen, you will still need a mini notch for the ear piece and front camera.

 

[Keymaster]

I just upgraded from my 5 to the XS. That phone just kept going, and was still totally usable last month...the only problem I had was with the battery, I swapped two in along the way (one under warranty, the second myself). It survived everything that was thrown at it, including a date knocking it out of my hand accidentally to the sidewalk (just a couple nicks on the sides, and a last date ). I appreciate the new features of the XS, it's definitely a better phone, but the size is just not right...if Apple puts out a smaller phone with all the new stuff (instead of cheaping out on the feature set) I'll probably switch to that.

 

[ouimetnick]

I know, right?!

But long may it continue, as far as I'm concerned (the availability, not the well-hidden part ).

They also still have the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus... They have been discontinued..

 

[Mac 128]

They also still have the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus... They have been discontinued..

Discontinued is the wrong word. Apple has simply stopped carrying them in their flagship stores, or via their online portal. Most of the major carries still sell them, at least in the US. Plus, Apple was investing in a factory in India earlier this year dedicated to iPhone SE manufacture. So it would seem the phone is still being manufactured and sold worldwide. Whether they discontinue sales and support for it in certain territories remains to be seen. The 4s and 5c were sold for a long time in India and other emerging markets well after it was discontinued in the US. I wonder how Apple handled it when someone who bought a brand new 4s in India, brought it into a US Apple Store for repair?

 

[EedyBeedyBeeps]

I’m not sure why the 5 would be so much different than the 5s in terms of seeking support. I just took my 5s in and received a brand new 5s as a replacement for a budding battery.

I’m not sure either, but maybe it’s because the 5 is/was the last of the 32-bit iPhones.

 

[japanime]

You must must have small hands then.

Nope. Normal-sized hands. But thank you for your comment.

 

[MacBH928]

I don't blame them, when this was out BB was still dominant IIRC. It is old.

I will rue the day that the iPhone 5's younger sibling, the iPhone SE, is added to that list of "obsolete" devices. It will mark the end of an era of iPhones that can be operated one-handed in a comfortable, natural way.

I never got why Apple made the SE then decided not continue with it. I thought it was here to stay as the smaller form factor.

 

[hallidc]

Although sad; I can't see anyone taking one of these to Apple for repair...

I'm curious as to how many were sent for repair at my local store. Most of the youth are rocking iPhone 5's

 

[C DM]

I'm curious as to how many were sent for repair at my local store. Most of the youth are rocking iPhone 5's

What is that based on?

 

[hallidc]

What is that based on?

Just being out and about as well as working at an airport. I see a lot of youth using the 5-SE phones

 

[C DM]

Just being out and about as well as working at an airport. I see a lot of youth using the 5-SE phones

I see various adults with those as well as many other more recent iPhones and a lot of youth with X and later phones, as well as some 8/7/6 as well as SE/5. Can't really say which might be more dominant, but I wouldn't say that SE/5 represents a lot (for youth or otherwise). That said, that's certainly all anecdotal essentially.

 

[FeliApple]

I never had one nor used one, but I have a similar experience with an iPod Touch 5G still on iOS 6. Best combo ever.
It easily rivals the newest devices in overall OS speed and fluidity - not to mention that iOS 6 > iOS 7+ - and even though iPod Touches never really had great battery life with heavy on-screen usage (camera use and high brightness were terrible for the iPod's battery), its battery life while on Wi-Fi and with indoor brightness is surprisingly great, at around 7 hours, 6 years after purchase. Around the same battery life that it had when new.
Great combination. There aren't many left (I assume the iPhone 5 on iOS 6 is more common than the iPod Touch 5G on iOS 6, because there were many more sold), but they are the best pocketable iOS devices in existence, in my opinion.