iPhone 5 is Obsolete

On March 16, 2026, Apple updated its vintage and obsolete products list and added iPhone 5 to the obsolete list.

iPhone 5 was my first iPhone. I haven’t been actively using it for over 9 years at this point (I still pull it out of the drawer and hold it every few months), but seeing the news story just reminded me of my old phone, and the memories.

From my former self:

The joy of using an iPhone is in the little things, like not having to press a button when you’ve entered your 4-digit passcode, the way the speaker and earphones volumes always is controlled separately, the way you see the brightness slider slides subtly to low or high when the light in the room changes. The small ways in which when you use it, you know someone at Apple has spent their time making it just right. You can’t always put your finger on it, but you realize you’re accustomed to that care, so much that may be even pampered, even when you temporarily use someone else’s phone.

You served me well, old friend.