Are you still using an iPhone 4? Well, we’ve got bad news for you.
Apple has released a list of products that they are about to tag as obsolete, and the iPhone 4 is on top of the list. This has got quite a few people worried, especially the ones who were not as enthusiastic in running to the nearest stores that sell iPhones every single time a new iPhone is released.
When you think about it though, this decision only makes sense. After all, the iPhone 4 was introduced way back in 2010, and the tech giant has also stopped manufacturing and selling these units over 5 years ago. More of their users have also moved on to newer handsets, so continued support to these old iPhone 4 units would not be cost- and time-efficient.
Aside from the iPhone 4, it is also believed that the 13-inch Macbook Air 2010 model will suffer the same fate. All these, they say, are connected to the rumors that Apple will soon reveal new Macbook and iPad models. If this is true, then this is clearly a case of “out with the old, in with the new”.
What to Expect
What happens when a unit becomes obsolete? Don’t worry, nobody is going to swoop in and take your unit away from you. Yes, you can continue using it. However, you will not be entitled to software and security updates any longer. This leaves your phone more susceptible to external threats.
Rumor has it that the final day that the iPhone 4 will be supported would be October 31, and the final software update that it can accommodate would be the iOS 7.1.2.
Of course, there are also exceptions. For some reason, iPhone users based in Turkey and California enjoy a different set of terms and conditions, with their iPhone units being supported 7 years after the company stops production of the model. So if you really want to continue using your iPhone 4, then moving to these places would be an option for you.
What to Do Next
So what happens now? Evidently, it’s time to get a newer and more advanced model that probably won’t be discontinued in the next 3 to 5 years. This should give you almost a decade to enjoy your new iPhone, especially if you’re the type of person who gets attached to a piece of gadget like this and does not want to upgrade or switch to anything else.
Since these units will also have little to no value, don’t expect to get anything for it should you try to sell them. They would probably serve as great keepsakes though, especially if you’re the type who enjoys collecting stuff until they go vintage.
Moving forward, you also have to make sure that you switch or upgrade your phones every so often, especially if you hate the fact that the phone you’re left with now has no value. Frequent upgrades do not only ensure that your handset stays as valuable as possible, it also allows you to enjoy features that are not available in older models.
