Another iPhone to become obsolete next month - here's what it means for YOU if you own one

Apple is introducing its newest iPhone 16 in September, meaning it's one again time for the company to render yet another device obsolete.

This fall, the iPhone 15 model won't qualify for the standard update, making it the fastest model to be taken off the shelf in Apple's history since it's release in September 2023.

Typically, a device is considered 'obsolete' once it reaches the seven-year mark since Apple stopped selling it, but because 'vintage' devices were discontinued between five and seven years, users can get part replacements for another two years. 

When a new iPhone is released, the previous device remains available for sale at a reduced price.

Despite the 15 model's short shelf life, the company reportedly won't supply it with the newest features from their latest iOS 18 update, although the 11 through 14 series will still be compatible with the software.

Apple's business model relies on people buying new products rather than falling back on devices they purchases years ago, which is why it makes them obsolete, according to a Fordham Law review.

'Apple's business relies on selling its products to a consumer and so, 'value is monetized by a one-time payment,' the review said.

It continued: 'However, like all businesses, Apple has an interest in steady sales. This is where the tactic of planned obsolescence comes in.'

However, in the newest development, the iPhone 15 not being included in the iOS 18 update could support claims that Apple is phasing out the device in record time, according to 9to5Mac.

New iOS updates generally push Apple users to move on from older phones that can't support the software updates which inadvertently leaves their data susceptible to cybercriminals.

The lack of an iOS 18 update may not be enough to fully knock the iPhone 15 into obsolete territory, but it could pose a problem for sales which started to drop within a month of the device's release. 

Complaints about the iPhone 15 series quickly surfaced within a week of its release, with users reporting the device would get too hot to touch while charging, would freeze during setup and had a slow iOS system.

When the iPhone 15 came out, users reported it had major shortcomings including a short battery life and fewer features than other models including lackluster AI features and a poorer photo lens than its predecessor - the iPhone 14.

However, the iPhone 16 will offer improvements like Apple Intelligence, an Action button, camera updates and other functions that could knock the previous model off buyer's radar.

IOS 18 is reported to be Apple's biggest update in the company's history, which will incorporate large language models (LLMS) and generative AI in iWork apps.

The update is expected to include a revised version of Siri that uses AI and LLMs to give more intelligent and accurate responses.

The Message app is also set to see its own new features that are said to 'field questions and auto-complete sentences.'   

Apple is expected to add AI features to Siri so it will give more accurate responses while the Message app will 'field questions and auto-complete sentences,' Bloomberg's Mark Gurman wrote in his Power On newsletter.

'I'm told that the new operating system is seen within the company as one of the biggest iOS updates — if not the biggest — in the company's history.'