Apple's First Lightning iPhone is Now Obsolete

[MacRumors]

The iPhone 5 that launched back in 2012 is now considered obsolete, according to Apple's list of vintage and obsolete products. Apple moved the iPhone 5 and the 8GB iPhone 4 from the vintage list to the obsolete list today.

A device is "vintage" when it has been five years since it was last distributed for sale, and "obsolete" at the seven-year mark, though Apple sometimes stretches its timelines. For vintage products, Apple retail stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers can provide repairs if the required parts are available. Devices that are obsolete are generally not eligible for repair and Apple stops providing repair components.

Apple released the iPhone 5 in 2012 and discontinued it in 2013 after launching the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c. The iPhone 5 was added to the vintage products list in 2018, at which point repairs became limited based on parts availability. Now that the device has moved to the obsolete list, repairs will be largely unavailable.

The iPhone 5 featured an updated design with a glass and aluminum body, a taller 4-inch display, LTE support, and the first-ever Lightning port that replaced the 30-pin connector.

As for the 8GB iPhone 4 that was also added to the obsolete list, Apple introduced it in 2011 and then discontinued it in 2013. Both the 8GB iPhone 4 and the iPhone 5 were sold as low-cost devices in emerging markets after being discontinued in the United States.

Article Link: Apple's First Lightning iPhone is Now Obsolete

 

[abatabia]

I still remember getting mine day one at radio shack back when they were $200 for the year. It felt so huge to me and I remember the hoopla over the change from the 30 pin connector. Back when you really felt a difference year over year. Good times.

 

[I7guy]

RIP iPhone 4, 4s and 5. The 5S was a punch in the gut to the competition.

 

[yossi]

This and the original SE are my favorite form factor and size

 

[tyranne201]

the "lightning phone" has a name. iPhone 5.

how dare.

 

[tyranne201]

This and the original SE are my favorite form factor and size

and yet iPhone air failed miserably. different times and needs I guess.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

The 5 is still my favorite phone to date!

Never owned or used the 5s.

 

[headlessmike]

Mine still looks the part if you ask me! Unfortunately unusable as a phone now due to the demise of 3G, but iOS 10 still works well with iCloud and Apple Music.

 

[MacMan988]

Those actually got obsolete a long time ago

 

[jonnysods]

Man, iPhone 5... perfect size and weight, such a great phone.

 

[ab2c4]

That phone was way too small for me to use. My wife had one and she was so frustrated with the small size she ended up switching to Android for two years.

 

[vegetassj4]

The 5s was my first iPhone after holding on to blackberry for too long

 

[usersince86]

Still a great form factor. Even though a bigger phone is my preference now, bigger isn't always better.

 

[JulienCasey]

Apple stretched the timeline a lot.

 

[Porco]

When iPhones were smartphones not fumblephablets

 

[Hogswarts]

I loved the iPhone 5, because it was so lightweight! 112 grams!

 

[AppleTO]

A device is "vintage" when it has been five years since it was last distributed for sale, and "obsolete" at the seven-year mark, though Apple sometimes stretches its timelines.

No kidding… it came out roughly 14 years ago.

 

[CharlesShaw]

If I were on Millionaire and had to answer which port my former iPhone 4 had, I'd have said Lightning and lost!

 

[avro707]

Man, iPhone 5... perfect size and weight, such a great phone.

Great phone and size. I unfortunately dropped mine and damaged the screen. I had it for a long time before that. The replacement was an iPhone XR.

Also the battery had to be replaced since it was expanding. It was just a nice form factor. Not too small, not too large.

 

[Dog Bone Malone]

The 5s was the first iPhone to give me an erection!😛

 

[HouseLannister]

2012 was also the year of the first iPad Mini. Good year for gadgets.

 

[conmee]

Just another example of Apple’s planned obsolescence at work. Thanks a lot, Tim Apple! 😉

 

[hybrid_x]

The 5, 5S, and OG SE are the last of the best iPhone form factor Apple has made. I'd love for them to bring back the small phones.

 

[B4U]

The only phone with lightning AND a home button without Touch ID!
That look is so unique and classic!

 

[RoadWarrior56]

The 32 GB iPhone 5 was my first smartphone, back in 2013. I will always have a warm spot in my heart for it. I loved its size, BTW.