As Apple is always upgrading their devices and technology, older versions of the iPhone become obsolete after a number of years.
Certain old models will no longer be sold by Apple and they will stop offering repairs on them. This is because they are expected to become slow by this point and it is generally easier to update to a new model with better features.
Since the first iPhone was revealed in 2007, Apple has had huge success with their phone and Statista numbers show they had the highest market share of any phone manufacturer in the last quarter of 2021.
READ MORE: You have been charging your iPhone wrong all your life according to Apple
Apple changed the face of the mobile phone market when the late Steve Jobs revealed the first iPhone.
The statistics show that 23.4% of the world's smartphones, and show they have knocked Samsung off the top spot.
With iPhones so important to the world's economy and everyday lives of people, some will be wondering if their old phone will soon become obsolete, while some will be marked as vintage.
Some interesting features could be introduced to the iPhone 14, expected in September this year, but details of the launch are generally kept under wraps, Daily Star reports.
Which iPhone models will become obsolete?
iPhone models as late as the iPhone 6 Plus are set to become obsolete, according to Apple. These are also known as 'vintage iPhones' and mean "Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than five and less than seven years ago".
Vintage phones set to become obsolete are as follows:
iPhone 4 (8GB)
iPhone 4S
iPhone 5
iPhone 5C
iPhone 6 Plus
Apple said: "Apple discontinues hardware service for certain technologically obsolete products. Your device is supported by ongoing OS updates and backed by a network of more than 5,000 Apple-certified repair locations that you can count on if something unexpected happens."
Is your iPhone going to be obsolete soon? Let us know in the comments section
Which iPhone models are already obsolete?
The original iPhone and products all the way up to the iPhone 4s are now considered obsolete.
The full list is as follows:
iPhone
iPhone 3G (China mainland) 8GB
iPhone 3G 8GB, 16GB
iPhone 3GS (China mainland) 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 (8GB)
The global mega-tech firm advised: "Owners of iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac or Apple TV products may obtain a service and parts from Apple service providers, including Apple Retail Stores and Independent Repair Providers, for a minimum of 5 years from when Apple last distributed the product for sale.
"Service and parts may be obtained for longer, as required by law, or for up to 7 years, subject to parts availability."
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