The iPhone 4 was originally released by Apple in June 2010. At the time, it represented a major upgrade over previous iPhone models, featuring a high-resolution “Retina” display, FaceTime video calling, a 5MP camera, and a slick new industrial design. However, the iPhone 4 is now over 11 years old and severely outdated by today’s smartphone standards.
Like all technology, the iPhone 4 has reached a point where Apple has ended software support and stopped releasing iOS updates for the device. This is standard practice for Apple, as the company typically provides software updates for iPhones for 5-6 years after their release before halting support for legacy hardware. As a result, iPhone 4 users can no longer update to the latest iOS versions that support new features and security patches.
Hardware Limitations
The iPhone 4 has an older A4 chip which can’t handle new iOS features. According to the technical specifications from Apple (source), the iPhone 4 uses a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 processor, while newer iPhones have upgraded to faster A5, A6, and A7 chips. The aging A4 chip limits the iPhone 4’s ability to run advanced iOS capabilities.
In addition, the iPhone 4 only has 512MB of RAM, versus 1GB in newer iPhone models (source). This lack of RAM creates bottlenecks for running graphically intense apps and multitasking, as well as limits the amount of background processes that can happen efficiently. The hardware limitations of older chipset and low RAM make it difficult for the iPhone 4 to be updated to the latest iOS versions without compromising performance and user experience.
Software Compatibility
New iOS versions are designed to take advantage of the improved hardware specifications in newer iPhone models. As each iOS iteration adds more features, it requires faster processors, more RAM, and other hardware upgrades to run smoothly. The iPhone 4’s hardware is limited to an A4 chip, 512MB of RAM, and other 2010-era specs. This older hardware simply can’t handle the demands of new iOS versions (iPhone 4).
Although Apple does its best to optimize iOS for older devices, there are inevitable performance and battery issues when running the latest iOS on an iPhone 4. Core functionality may work, but animations, app switching, web browsing, cameras, and graphics will lag. Updating to a newer iOS can also dramatically reduce battery life as the hardware strains under the load. Overall, the user experience suffers considerably on aging devices not designed for the latest iOS optimizations.
For these reasons, Apple eventually stops supporting the latest iOS on older iPhones like the iPhone 4. iOS 7.1.2 is the last version available for the iPhone 4. This allows Apple to focus on improving performance and adding features for users with supported iPhones, without having to maintain and troubleshoot issues on unsupported legacy hardware.
Feature Support
New iOS versions support new features that the iPhone 4 lacks like Apple Pay. The iPhone 4 is missing the Touch ID fingerprint scanner and NFC chip required for Apple Pay. If a user tried to add a credit card to Apple Pay on an iPhone 4 running a newer iOS, it simply would not work. According to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYgJvqbnfkI, other key iOS features unavailable on the iPhone 4 include.
- Spatial audio and Dolby Atmos
- New quicknote feature
- Live Text and Visual Look Up
Trying to run apps or system features that require hardware not present in the iPhone 4 would lead to a poor user experience. The apps may crash, provide error messages, or simply not function at all. Due to the aging hardware of the iPhone 4, keeping it limited to iOS versions that do not demand more advanced capabilities allows for smoother performance and stability.
Security Concerns
Apple no longer provides security updates for iOS versions older than iOS 15, which means using an iPhone 4 with an outdated iOS poses significant security risks. When major vulnerabilities are discovered in old iOS versions, Apple does not patch those issues. That leaves devices vulnerable to potential exploits that could expose personal data or allow malicious actors to take control of the device.
Running outdated operating systems is always a security risk, as explained in this analysis from Intego: “Specifically, if an iPhone can no longer run the latest version of Apple’s iOS operating system, it will miss out on a lot of critical security patches that get rolled into the newest iOS versions each year” (source). Without continued software updates to address newly discovered exploits, old iPhones become ripe targets for cybercriminals.
Users of older devices like the iPhone 4 on iOS 7 or earlier should especially be concerned. As one Redditor commented, “If you use older hardware and operating systems, you risk losing access that has changed due to new features, security and privacy changes. This applies to iOS as well as other operating systems” (source).
User Experience
One key reason Apple prevents iOS updates on older iPhones like the iPhone 4 is that new iOS versions are designed for newer, larger screens. For example, the iPhone 12 series increased the base screen size from 4.7 inches on the iPhone 11 to 6.1 inches. The iPhone 4’s screen, in comparison, is only 3.5 inches.
With each iOS iteration, Apple tailors the interface and standard app designs to take advantage of newer and larger displays. As a result, interface elements and text would simply be too small to comfortably use on the iPhone 4’s compact 3.5 inch screen if it were updated to the latest iOS version.
This would lead to a poor and frustrating user experience. Apps would feel cramped, buttons hard to tap, and text difficult to read. While Apple could redesign the interface to be usable on small screens again, the company has clearly prioritized optimizing the iOS experience for newer iPhone models over continuing to support nearly decade old devices like the iPhone 4.
Lost App Support
One major downside of staying on older iOS versions like iOS 4 is the inability to download and use the latest apps. Many new apps require newer iOS versions to run. For example, the latest version of Instagram requires iOS 13 or later [1]. Without updating to a more recent iOS version, iPhone 4 users can’t download Instagram or any other apps that require newer iOS releases.
This severely limits the apps available for download on iPhone 4 devices. Over time, more and more developers will drop support for iOS 4 as they release apps leveraging newer iOS features and capabilities. Staying on iOS 4 means missing out on thousands of new apps, games, and services. Unless iPhone 4 users update to a newer iOS version, they’ll be stuck with an increasingly outdated selection of compatible apps.
Apple’s Planned Obsolescence
There have been longstanding accusations that Apple engages in planned obsolescence by phasing out software updates and support for older iPhone models, prompting customers to purchase new devices. This policy results in a lack of iOS updates, and loss of functionality and features for aging iPhones like the iPhone 4.
According to an investigation by French authorities, Apple has deliberately stymied third-party repair programs in order to render older iPhones obsolete (https://www.wired.com/story/right-to-repair-apple-france/). By restricting repairs, Apple shortens the lifespan of its devices. Groups like Stop Planned Obsolescence in France allege that this practice violates French consumer law against planned obsolescence.
Critics view Apple’s ending of iOS support for older iPhones as a way to promote sales of new models, rather than due to actual technological limitations. By limiting software updates that keep devices functional, Apple faces accusations of nudging consumers to upgrade and discard still-usable older iPhones in the name of profit.
Alternatives for iPhone 4 Users
For those still holding onto an iPhone 4 that can no longer be updated, there are a few alternatives to consider:
One option is to jailbreak the iPhone 4. This involves modifying the operating system to remove restrictions imposed by Apple. Jailbreaking allows users to install apps, extensions and themes that are not available through the official App Store. The downside is that jailbreaking can make the device more vulnerable to malware and instability. There’s also the ongoing need to re-jailbreak whenever new iOS updates are released (source).
Another path is to simply continue using the iPhone 4 as is, without any software updates. This maintains full functionality, though prevents access to newer apps and features. The iPhone 4 only supports up to iOS 7.1.2, so many apps released in the past 5+ years cannot be installed. There’s also potential security risks if bugs and vulnerabilities in the older iOS build go unpatched.
For those wanting something new without breaking the bank, replacing the iPhone 4 with a used/refurbished device is an affordable option. Websites like BackMarket have iPhone 6 models available for under $100. While not cutting edge, the iPhone 6 supports iOS 12 and provides several more years of usability. There are also many budget Android devices that offer modern amenities the iPhone 4 lacks.
Ultimately, each path involves trade-offs. Continuing to use an antiquated iPhone 4 provides familiarity at the cost of functionality and security. Jailbreaking unlocks more capability, but with risks. And upgrading hands over money in exchange for restored features and peace of mind. Every user will weigh these factors differently when deciding what to do with an aging iPhone 4.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why the iPhone 4 will not be getting updated to the latest iOS version, as frustrating as that may be for users. The device’s hardware specs, especially its RAM and processor, are simply too outdated for the latest iOS features and require more power and speed to function. Additionally, supporting the latest iOS features and apps on an older phone often leads to performance issues, as seen in the past with older iPhones struggling to handle newer iOS versions.
Apple is also heavily pushing users to upgrade to newer iPhones in order to provide the latest software and security updates and have better experiences. They are a company focused on promoting their latest products, which means phasing out software support for older devices to nudge owners into upgrading. The iPhone 4 has now reached a point where Apple considers it too outdated to deliver the ‘best possible experience’ to users.
While this is understandably disappointing news for those still holding onto an iPhone 4, it’s simply the nature of technology progressing and leaving certain hardware behind. The good news is there are alternatives available if you wish to keep using your iPhone 4, whether it’s finding apps and browsers that still support older iOS versions or considering an upgrade to a newer model.