The End of an Era: Apple Discontinues iPhone 6, Marking the End of a Golden Age

The End of an Era: Apple Discontinues iPhone 6, Marking the End of a Golden AgeToday, Apple updated its list of discontinued products globally, adding the final iPod nano (7th generation) and iPod shuffle (4th generation). But the most notable addition is the iPhone 6

The End of an Era: Apple Discontinues iPhone 6, Marking the End of a Golden Age

Today, Apple updated its list of discontinued products globally, adding the final iPod nano (7th generation) and iPod shuffle (4th generation). But the most notable addition is the iPhone 6. This means that the once-ubiquitous smartphone will officially exit the stage, no longer receiving any hardware repair services from Apple.

The discontinuation of the iPhone 6 marks the end of an era. Released in 2014, the phone holds countless memories for many. It was not only Apples first large-screen phone, but also the best-selling iPhone in history, ushering in a golden age of mobile internet.

iPhone 6: The Pioneer of the Large-Screen Era

In 2014, the mobile internet was entering a period of rapid development, and the demand for mobile devices was on the rise. Large-screen phones were becoming increasingly mainstream. At the time, the iPhone 5S sported a 4.0-inch screen, failing to meet the growing needs of users. The arrival of the iPhone 6 completely changed this situation.

The standard iPhone 6 featured a 4.7-inch screen, while the Plus version boasted a 5.5-inch display, filling the void that Apple had in the large-screen smartphone market. More importantly, the iPhone 6 adopted a rounded, curved frame design, a fingerprint-integrated Home button, and the then-advanced 2.5D glass, enhancing the phone's comfort and aesthetics.

Sales Legend: The Glory of 220 Million Units

The iPhone 6's release instantly ignited the market, setting off a global large-screen craze. According to incomplete statistics, the iPhone 6 series sold a total of 220 million units, making it the undisputed sales king of Apple's phones. Even with the iPhone 6s series continuing its sales momentum, it only achieved a total sales figure of 125 million units, half that of the iPhone 6 series.

It wasn't until the arrival of the iPhone 11 that the iPhone 6's sales record was broken. The latter eventually surpassed its predecessor with 250 million units sold.

Classic Design: Memories That Endure

The iPhone 6s success lay not only in its large-screen design but also in its classic body shape. Apple continued to use the iPhone 6s design philosophy in the subsequent 6S, 7, and 8 series, demonstrating its enduring influence. Even today, many users still cherish the iPhone 6s simplicity, elegance, thinness, and comfortable feel.

Performance Lags, but Still Full of Life

Despite the iPhone 6s sales legend, time is ultimately unstoppable. As a multi-year-old phone, its A8 processor's performance has fallen behind the times, and its meager 1GB of RAM is no match for today's gaming demands.

However, this doesn't mean the iPhone 6 has lost all value. It can still handle daily light use, such as browsing Weibo, shopping on Taobao, and even playing some older single-player games.

The Old Antique's Endless Possibilities

Beyond daily use, the iPhone 6 can serve unexpected purposes:

• Desktop Clock: Paired with the iOS-exclusive Clock app, placing the phone on a desk transforms it into a simple and practical desktop clock.

• CCD Replacement: Although the iPhone 6s photos have low pixel counts, its unique color style captures a retro feel similar to a CCD camera, making it a CCD replacement for many users.

• Qualified Mp3 Player: Before the iPhone 7 abolished the headphone jack, the iPhone 6s 3.5mm headphone jack delivered the best audio quality of any iPhone.

• Car Navigation Device: Download and install a map app and offline maps for route finding, even without a network connection.

• Desktop Photo Album: Plug it into a charging dock, set the screen to stay on, and it becomes a digital photo album.

• Online Learning/Screen Mirroring to TV: Use the built-in AirPlay feature to sync the contents of your phone's screen to your TV in real time.

Conclusion: The End of an Era, but the Beginning of Another

The discontinuation of the iPhone 6 signifies the end of an era, but it also signifies the beginning of another. It witnessed the rapid development of the mobile internet and left behind countless fond memories. Although it is no longer a cutting-edge technology product, its classic design and unique functions remain worthy of remembrance.

Today, the iPhone has evolved into the more powerful iPhone 15 series, equipped with more advanced hardware and software to offer users a more convenient and seamless experience. But no matter what, the iPhone 6 will forever be an integral part of Apple's smartphone history. The large-screen era it pioneered and the cultural impact it brought will forever be etched in people's memories.