Apple To Launch Vintage Repair Program For iPhone 5, Old Macs, Other Obsolete Devices

We told you earlier that Apple had transitioned the iPhone 5 to vintage status, meaning it was no longer officially supported. However, a new report by 9to5Mac suggests that vintage hardware may be about to get a new lease of life, with Apple planning a new program that will extend the period of time users can expect the company to repair an old device.

The new program, according to sources that are unnamed, will first include the iPhone 6 and a number of Macs but will presumably be expanded to other hardware in due course. The report also lists the devices that will be included in the new program when it first kicks off.

  • iPhone 5 (GSM/CDMA)
  • MacBook Air (11 inch, Mid 2012)
  • MacBook Air (13 inch, Mid 2012)
  • iMac (21.5 inch, Mid 2011) – US and Turkey only
  • iMac (27 inch, Mid 2011) – US and Turkey only

We may already know which devices will be added to the initial list, too. The report has the iPhone 4S and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012) being added on November 30, 2018 with “the MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012), MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2013), MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), Mac Pro (Mid 2012), and iPhone 5 (GSM) on December, 30, 2018.”

That should see many people covered, with Apple apparently only offering repairs for vintage hardware based on part availability. That means that if you walk into an Apple Store and are told that a specific part from your 2011 iMac isn’t available anymore, you’re out of luck.

We’d take that as the universe’s way of telling you it’s time to pick up a new Mac while you’re there.

(Source: 9to5Mac)

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