Apple makes popular iPhone model ‘obsolete’ leaving owners doomed

Apple has left fans ranting and raving online after cutting one of its iPhones, making it obsolete.

It has been a tough few months for Apple fans, who recently saw the iOS 26 software update make millions of iPhones worthless, before its iPhone 17 was found to have a ‘major’ flaw that left consumers with phones that looked like they had been through the wars.

But now, something else is amiss.

According to reports, a budget-friendly iPhone option has been added to the company’s obsolete list, making it unable to go in for repairs or other services at Apple Stores or anywhere else that’s verified, per MacRumors.

The iPhone SE (RIP), launched in 2016, and gave fans the ability to buy a smartphone with similar capabilities of the iPhone 7, without the price.

The SE is gone (Apple)

You could get it for under £300, which seems like a lifetime away when you consider it costs over a grand for the iPhone 17 Pro.

But just two years later, Apple discontinued it, and now it’s time to say goodbye forever.

Per the tech giant: “Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago.”

Now, the brand doesn’t have to repair or service the phone if yours breaks or needs maintenance.

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

For social media users, this is unacceptable.

One person wrote: “Original iPhone SE… it was perfect!”

Another said: “SE still the best model they made of any iphone too.”

Someone else said: “They’ll pry my 2016 iPhone SE from my cold, dead hands.”

A fourth added: “I don’t change mine until forced to. My SE iPhone works just fine.”

Apple made it 'obsolete' (AdrianHancu/ Getty Stock)

Anyway, the SE isn’t the only one on the list, as now the iOS 26 update is here, these phones will be joining its ranks too:

• 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, hold onto your iPhone for dear life.

LAdbible reached out to Apple for comment.