Apple plans to add the iPhone 5c to its obsolete product list next month, says a memo obtained and shared by MacRumors. Apple designated the iPhone 5c as “vintage” on Nov. 2, 2020.
The internal memo says that on November 1, Apple will mark the iPhone 5c as an obsolete product, ending all repairs and services. Apple also said in the memo it would mark the third-generation iPad mini with Wi-Fi and TD-LTE as obsolete on the same day.
The iPhone 5c debuted in 2013 and was meant to be a lower-priced alternative to the iPhone 5s devices that were Apple’s flagship handsets for that year. The polycarbonate handset used mostly components from the previous year’s iPhone 5 but boasted a larger battery.
The iPhone 5c remained available until 2015. Its replacement, the iPhone SE, debuted in 2016.
Apple adds older devices to its vintage and obsolete devices list on a regular basis.
What’s Vintage, and What’s Obsolete?
Apple’s website explains the difference:
Vintage products are those that have not been manufactured for more than 5 and less than 7 years ago. Apple has discontinued hardware service for vintage products with the following exceptions:
- Mac products purchased in the country of Turkey. Owners of vintage Mac products may obtain service and parts from Apple service providers within the country of Turkey.
- Products purchased in the state of California, United States, as required by statute
- Owners of vintage Mac products may obtain service and parts from Apple service providers within the state of California, United States.
- Owners of vintage iPod products in the state of California may obtain service from Apple Retail Stores or by contacting AppleCare at 1-800-APL-CARE.
- Owners of vintage iPhone products in the state of California may obtain service from Apple Retail Stores or by contacting AppleCare at 1-800-APL-CARE.
For products purchased in France, see Statutory Warranties of Seller and Spare Parts.
Obsolete products are those that were discontinued more than 7 years ago. Monster-branded Beats products are considered obsolete regardless of when they were purchased. Apple has discontinued all hardware service for obsolete products with no exceptions. Service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products. All Apple Retail Stores and the Canadian, European, Latin American, and Asia-Pacific operating regions follow the U.S. product list, but make no distinction between vintage and obsolete. When applied to Apple Retail Stores and these operating regions, products on the U.S. vintage list (all models) are considered obsolete.
