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Question

How long before my iPhone 5 will be obsolete?

Sep 18, 2018 8:34AM PDT

My iPhone 5 can't run iOS 11 or 12 so I am wondering just how long I have with it before none of the apps run on it and/or Apple deserts me.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I know folk that have older iPhones.
Sep 18, 2018 8:44AM PDT

They continue to make calls, text, use the web, email and more. So my answer is it will be obsolete when you decide it's obsolete.

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Answer
It depends on your carrier
Sep 19, 2018 10:21AM PDT

All of the major carriers are migrating to LTE networks. The iPhone 5 is an LTE capable phone, but not for voice calls. Voice calls in LTE utilize VoLTE ( Voice over LTE), a type of VOIP. The iPhone 5 is not VoLTE capable. That didn’t come out until the 6. So, when you currently place or receive a call, your carrier will shift you over to their 3G network for regular old circuit switched phone call. The good news is that those 3G networks will be around for at least a few more years. Although the bandwidth allotted for 3G use is shrinking to the minimum necessary.

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Answer
iPhone 5
Sep 26, 2018 7:32AM PDT

I love that phone more than new models because it's small and very convenient to keep.
My favorite is 5s model.
And it still works well.
For sure one day it will be not possible to update, but it doesn't matter for me since I consider this model is the best of all Apple times.