The Shocking End for Every iPhone: Why Your Device Just Became Obsolete Overnight

So, Apple—world’s biggest tech titan—has once again shown us that moving forward means leaving some old favorites in the dust. Since the days when Steve Jobs and Tim Cook first kickstarted the empire back in ’76 (along with their less fortunate co-founder who sold out early—ouch), Apple’s raked in a staggering three trillion dollars, turning each new iPhone release into a collector’s frenzy that makes Pokémon cards look basic. This week, Tim Cook dropped the bombshell: four shiny new iPhone models, sporting jaw-dropping prices that might sting a bit—thank you, tariffs! But here’s the kicker—while some of us cling to our trusty old phones like security blankets, Apple’s secret weapon to get us all hooked on upgrades is simple: fresh software. Yet, this progress has a downside—some early iPhones just can’t keep up anymore and are officially labelled obsolete. So, if you still cherish one from that ancient list, it might be time to say your bittersweet goodbye. Curious which ones made the cut? LEARN MORE

Apple is perhaps the world’s biggest technology company, and moving with the times means that they’ve had to essentially forgo some of their earliest inventions.

Since it was founded by Steve Jobs and Tim Cook in 1976, as well as a rather unfortunate third who sold his shares, the company has established a net worth of over three trillion dollars and consistently sees customers return for the new release each year, with rich kids collecting them like Pokémon cards.

Earlier this week, CEO Tim Cook confirmed the four newest models and while some were surprised by the eye-watering prices, which are perhaps no surprise given Donald Trump’s tariffs on China, there’s no doubt that they will sell well across the world.

While some of us are more than happy to keep the same phone we’ve had for years, the company certainly knows the best way to ensure that its buyers come back for a newer version, and that’s often through the release of updated software.

Tim Cook unveiled the new iPhone 17 on Tuesday (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Technology has massively accelerated in recent years so it was perhaps always likely that the first iPhone, which was released in 2007, wouldn’t be able to support the current operating software.

But it turns out that there’s not only several iPhones which can’t support the latest iOS 26 software, there’s even some which the technology company considers to be completely obsolete.

Apple say: “Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than seven years ago.

“Apple discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products, and service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products.”

The full list can be seen here:

• iPhone
• iPhone 3G (China mainland) 8 GB
• iPhone 3G 8 GB, 16 GB
• iPhone 3GS (China mainland) 16 GB, 32 GB
• iPhone 3GS (8 GB)
• iPhone 3GS 16 GB, 32 GB
• iPhone 4 CDMA
• iPhone 4 CDMA (8 GB)
• iPhone 4 16 GB, 32 GB
• iPhone 4 GSM (8 GB), Black
• iPhone 4s
• iPhone 4s (8 GB)
• iPhone 5c
• iPhone 5s
• iPhone 6
• iPhone 6 Plus
• iPhone 6s (32 GB)
• iPhone 6s Plus (32GB)

So, if you’ve still got one of the ones on this list, much like the red ring of death on your old Xbox, it might be time to say goodbye and get a new one.

The new iPhones, which are sadly making the old ones obsolete (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Apple didn’t just unveil a new iPhone however, as they also showed off some new air pods which could prove to be a game-changer when you go on holiday.

But then again, maybe you’re a Samsung fan, and you prefer to be able to fold your phones when you put them in your pocket.