Apple has released several new iPhone models over the past few years, and the most recent one was the iPhone 14 series; iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
The new iPhone models typically run on the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS. However, with each new iOS release, some older iPhone models become “end-of-life” (EOL) or obsolete and are no longer supported by Apple.
This can be a problem for users with older iPhone models because they miss out on new features and security updates. In addition, Apple also releases new versions of its desktop operating system, macOS, every year.
The latest version is macOS Monterey. As with iOS, some older Mac models become EOL “end-of-life” with each new macOS release.
Difference Between iPhone Discontinued and Support End Date
The major difference between support on an iPhone and being discontinued is:
Support includes software updates, bugs and security fixes, including hardware repairs for eligible devices, while being discontinued means the Apple device can’t be bought from Apple’s website in a new condition. Although some devices could be available as certified refurbished.
Hardware support refers to the possibility of getting your iPhone fixed in case of damage and other problems. Apple offers hardware support for about five to seven years.
Software support by way of regular updates fixes any bugs and security flaws while keeping things running smoothly.
How long does Apple provide updates for iPhones?
Here’s a table showing every iPhone’s end-of-life or support end date. This table shows how long Apple has supported its iPhones or older iPhone models.
Apple has offered software support to iPhones for almost a decade, which is visually represented in the table below.
| iPhone Model | Year of Release | Historical and iOS versions |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | 2007 | Apple iOS 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 |
| iPhone 3G | 2008 | Apple iOS 2.0, 3.0, 4 |
| iPhone 3GS | 2009 | Apple iOS 3.0, 4, 5, 6 |
| iPhone 4 | 2010 | Apple iOS 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| iPhone 4s | 2011 | Apple iOS 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| iPhone 5 | 2012 | Apple iOS 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| iPhone 5c | 2013 | Apple iOS 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| iPhone 5s | 2013 | Apple iOS 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| iPhone 6/6 Plus | 2014 | Apple iOS 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| iPhone 6s/6s Plus | 2015 | Apple iOS 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
| iPhone SE | 2016 | Apple iOS 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
| iPhone 7/7 Plus | 2016 | Apple iOS 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
| iPhone 8/8 Plus | 2017 | Apple iOS 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 |
| iPhone X | 2017 | Apple iOS 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 |
| iPhone XS/XS Max | 2018 | Apple iOS 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 |
| iPhone XR | 2018 | Apple iOS 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 |
| iPhone 11 | 2019 | Apple iOS 13, 14, 15, 16 |
| iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max | 2019 | Apple iOS 13, 14, 15, 16 |
| iPhone SE (2nd Gen.) | 2020 | Apple iOS 13, 14, 15, 16 |
| iPhone 12/12 mini | 2020 | Apple iOS 14, 15, 16 |
| iPhone 12 Pro/Pro Max | 2020 | Apple iOS 14, 15, 16 |
| iPhone 13/13 mini | 2021 | Apple iOS 15, 16 |
| iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max | 2021 | Apple iOS 15, 16 |
| iPhone SE (3rd Gen.) | 2022 | Apple iOS 16 |
| iPhone 14/14 Plus | 2022 | Apple iOS 16 |
| iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max | 2022 | Apple iOS 16 |
Apple iPhone Models, Release Date and End-Of-Life (EOL)
Apple releases new iPhone models annually, typically in September, October or November. The most recent iPhones are the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14/14 Plus. Apple typically stops supporting its iPhones around 3-4 years after release. Whenever Apple releases new iPhones, they stop selling some older ones.
Here’s a list of all the iPhone models that have been released to date, along with their release date and when they are expected to reach the end of their life cycle, obsolete or support end date. This list will be updated every time a new iPhone is released.
| Apple iPhone Model | Release Date | Status | Supported | iOS compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
07 October 2022 | Still in production | Yes | iOS 16 | |
16 September 2022 | Still in production | Yes | iOS 16 | |
18 March 2022 | Still in production | Yes | iOS 16 | |
24 September 2021 | Discontinued (07 Sep 2022) | Yes until 2028 | iOS 16 | |
24 September 2021 | Still in production | Yes until 2028 | iOS 16 | |
13 November 2020 | Discontinued (14 Sep 2021) | Yes until 2027 | iOS 16 | |
13 November 2020 | Discontinued (07 Sep 2022) | Yes until 2027 | iOS 16 | |
23 October 2020 | Discontinued (14 Sep 2021) | Yes until 2027 | iOS 16 | |
23 October 2020 | Still in production | Yes until 2027 | iOS 16 | |
24 April 2020 | Discontinued on (08 Mar 2022) | Yes until 2027 | iOS 16 | |
20 September 2019 | Discontinued on (13 Oct 2020) | Yes until 2026 | iOS 16 | |
20 September 2019 | Discontinued on (07 Sep 2022) | Yes until 2026 | iOS 16 | |
26 October 2018 | Discontinued on (07 Sep 2021) | Yes until 2025 | iOS 16 | |
21 September 2018 | Discontinued on (10 Sep 2019) | Yes until 2023 | iOS 16 | |
22 September 2017 | Discontinued on (15 Apr 2020) | Yes until 2023 | iOS 16 | |
12 September 2017 | Discontinued on (12 Sep 2018) | Yes until 2023 | iOS 16 | |
16 September 2016 | Discontinued on (10 Sep 2019) | Support End Date – Ended on (12 Sep 2022) | iOS 15 | |
31 March 2016 | Discontinued on (12 Sep 2018) | Support End Date – Ended on (12 Sep 2022) | iOS 15 | |
25 September 2015 | Discontinued on (12 Sep 2018) | Support End Date – Ended on (12 Sep 2022) | iOS 15 | |
25 September 2014 | Discontinued on (07 Sep 2016) | Support End Date – Ended on (31 Aug 2022) | iOS 12 | |
20 September 2013 | Discontinued on (21 Mar 2016) | Support End Date – Ended on (31 Aug 2022) | iOS 12 | |
20 September 2013 | Discontinued on (09 Sep 2015) | Support End Date – Ended on (19 Sep 2017) | iOS 10 | |
| Apple iPhone 4S | 14 October 2011 | Discontinued on | No | iOS 9 |
| Apple iPhone 4 | 29 June 2007 | 15 July 2018 | No | iOS 7 |
| Apple iPhone 3GS | 19 June 2009 | 12 September 2012 | No | iOS 6 |
| Apple iPhone 3G | 09 June 2008 | 7 June 2010 | No | iOS 4 |
| Original iPhone | 24 June 2010 | 10 September 2013 | No | iOS 3.0 |
Apple macOS Versions Release Dates and End-Of-Life (EOL)
macOS (aka OS X, Mac OS X) is the primary operating system for Apple’s Mac computers.
Most macOS versions are released annually and are usually maintained for three years. Apple usually provides security updates for the latest 3 releases, but this isn’t consistently applied, and some security fixes aren’t available for the non-latest releases.
More information is available on the macOS website.
| Release | Released | Service Status | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
macOS 12 (Monterey) | 11 months ago (25 Oct 2021) | Yes | |
macOS 11 (Big Sur) | 1 year and 10 months ago (12 Nov 2020) | Yes | |
macOS 10.15 (Catalina) | 2 years and 11 months ago (07 Oct 2019) | Yes | |
macOS 10.14 (Mojave) | 3 years and 12 months ago (24 Sep 2018) | Ended 11 months ago (25 Oct 2021) | 10.14.6 |
macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) | 4 years and 12 months ago (25 Sep 2017) | Ended 1 year and 9 months ago (01 Dec 2020) | 10.13.6 |
macOS 10.12 (Sierra) | 6 years ago (20 Sep 2016) | Ended 2 years and 11 months ago (01 Oct 2019) | 10.12.6 |
OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) | 6 years and 11 months ago (30 Sep 2015) | Ended 3 years and 9 months ago (01 Dec 2018) | 10.11.6 |
OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) | 7 years and 11 months ago (16 Oct 2014) | Ended 5 years ago (01 Aug 2017) | 10.10.5 |
OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) | 8 years and 11 months ago (22 Oct 2013) | Ended 5 years and 9 months ago (01 Dec 2016) | 10.9.5 |
Frequently Ask Questions on iPhones and their EOL – End Of Life.
Here are frequently asked questions related to iPhones and their end of life.
What does it mean when an iPhone is discontinued by Apple?
When an iPhone has been discontinued, it means Apple has officially stopped selling the iPhone model in new conditions but could be available via Apple’s website as a certified refurbished product. However, you can still buy it from third-party stores or retailers.
What does it mean when an iPhone is no longer supported?
When an iPhone model is no longer supported, the model will not receive the latest Apple iOS software updates.
Although Apple isn’t selling discontinued iPhones anymore, they still support them. Each of those iPhone models will keep receiving iOS updates for years. If you own a discontinued iPhone, you’ll still receive updates.
The oldest iPhones that Apple still gives updates to are the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, both released in 2017. Anything older is considered discontinued and unsupported.
Which iPhones has Apple discontinued?
Apple has discontinued the following iPhone models:
- Apple iPhone 11
- Apple iPhone 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 12 mini
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 5S
- Apple iPhone 5C
- Apple iPhone 6 / 6 Plus
- Apple iPhone 6S / 6S Plus
- Apple iPhone SE (1st generation)
- Apple iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- Apple iPhone 7 / 7 Plus
- Apple iPhone X
- Apple iPhone 8 / 8 Plus
- Apple iPhone XS / XS Max
- Apple iPhone XR
How long does Apple support iPhones?
There are two ways in which Apple supports iPhones. Apple supports iPhones through software updates that address bugs, security flaws, and hardware repairs if your phone has a problem.
Apple will support iPhones (and all its devices) for seven years from the last time it sold that particular model. Software support lasts around a decade, while hardware support can be available on five to seven-year-old handsets.
What is the oldest iPhone that is still supported?
How many years do Apple iPhones get software updates?
As newer models of the iPhone are released, older models receive fewer updates. For example, the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G received two major iOS updates. Later models, however, have typically only received software updates for five to six years.
How often should an iPhone be replaced?
By taking care of your iPhone, you can extend its life significantly. As a general guideline, your iPhone should last anywhere from four to seven years with proper care. Additionally, newer iPhone models usually receive iOS updates long after their launch date.
Which iPhones will support iOS 16 update?
According to Apple, iOS 16 will be available only on the iPhone 8 and later, with a full compatibility list below:
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
Conclusion
Apple has always been a consistent smartphone manufacturer that keeps its devices updated for longer than its Android competitors.
In conclusion, I hope you now understand the difference between discontinued and support for iPhones. You can now feel enlightened when buying an iPhone because you can estimate how long the device will be supported.
