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With every new device launched each year, older devices get one step closer to becoming obsolete and no longer receiving any support from the manufacturer. Nowadays, Samsung and Google claim to offer several years of Android updates to their devices. Meanwhile, companies like OnePlus end support after just three years.
Among others, Apple is known to provide its customers with much longer support and software updates. However, even Apple ended support for its older devices at one point. And now is the time for the iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Mini 4. The company notes on its website that the iPhone 6 Plus is labeled as an “Obsolete” device while iPad Mini 4 joins the “Vintage” list.
Apple iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Mini 4 are Obsolete and Vintage devices now
In the Apple dictionary, being obsolete means a device no longer receives any repair and hardware service from Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers. Apple usually marks a device as obsolete after seven years of launching it to the global market. The iPhone 6 Plus was launched on September 19, 2014, and discontinued in 2016. The phone also stopped getting iOS updates in 2019.
Apple is also sending the iPad Mini 4 to its Vintage list. Being labeled a Vintage device means over five years have passed since Apple stopped selling a device in global markets.
Unlike the ‘obsolete’ list, devices that make it to the Vintage list still have a chance to receive repair support from Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers for another two years. So, if you’re a proud owner of an iPad Mini 4, there’s still hope for hardware support from Apple. Apple has also included the Product Red variants of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus on its ‘vintage’ list.
Tech companies are pledged to reduce e-waste
With the annual launch of over two billion tech devices, the issue of e-waste has become a significant concern for NGOs and governments. In response, tech companies have taken a pledge to reduce e-waste and minimize their carbon footprint in the coming decades, demonstrating their commitment to this global issue.
Repairing older devices and keeping them in use is a good way to reduce e-waste. To double down on that, Oregon has introduced the strongest Right to Repair bill in the US. The bill takes effect in 2025. California and Minnesota have introduced similar bills before.