Technology
Apple ‘to kill off MILLIONS of iPhones forever’ – is this the end for your model?
APPLE is about to “kill off” millions of older iPhone models, a leaked report claims.
The tech titan warned that Apple is about to update its “vintage products” list – which all iPhone owners need to know about.
AppleThe iPhone 6 Plus may be nearing its end[/caption]
Several iPhone models have already been declared “vintage” and “obsolete”.
But MacRumors claims to have seen an internal Apple memo warning that the iPhone 6 Plus is joining the list on December 31.
Apple sold tens of millions of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models after their launch in 2015.
The iPhone 6 is reportedly “safe until 2023”, but the iPhone 6 Plus isn’t so lucky.
This popular iPhone model won’t stop working overnight – but that’s not the real danger.
There are two key problems you’ll face as an owner.
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Once an iPhone shifts into the ‘Vintage’ list, it suddenly becomes significantly harder to get spare parts and repairs for that model.
So if something goes wrong with the device, you become limited in terms of fixing it.
This ‘Vintage’ period lasts for two years, after which Apple declares it ‘Obsolete’.
And then once it shifts into obsolescence, Apple truly cuts the handset off.
“Apple discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products,” the iPhone maker warns.
The iPhone 6 Plus – and iPhone 6 – are now too old to receive the latest iOS updates.
Apple’s iOS 15 can only be installed on the iPhone 6S or later.
So it should come as no surprise that millions of these older models are now being phased out.
In fact, Apple cut off support for the iPhone 6 two years ago with the release of iOS 13.
This is a big problem for owners, and not just because you miss out on new features.
You’ll also be overlooked for key security updates, which puts you at greater risk of being hacked.
In any case, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are starting to sound a little ancient.
Both smartphones started with a lowly 16GB of storage, which is very poor by 2021’s standards.
The new iPhone 13 boasts a far more generous 128GB of storage by default.
Apple hasn’t formally confirmed that the iPhone 6 Plus will soon become vintage.
But the phone no longer receives software support, and isn’t available to buy new or refurbished from Apple, so you should probably consider upgrading if you still use one.
You can check Apple’s official list here.
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