Marking a device as End-of-Life (EoL) is a calculated business strategy. This is a critical product-lifecycle milestone, signaling users to plan an upgrade or replacement.
Understanding it explains why devices eventually become obsolete. A complex interplay of technical limitations, economic realities, and security mandates drives this decision.
Let’s explain the reasons behind EoL decisions and what they mean for consumers.
Older hardware can’t keep up with modern software
At the most fundamental level, EoL is a direct consequence of a device’s hardware reaching a technical ceiling and being incapable of supporting modern software.
As operating systems and applications evolve, they require greater processing power, memory, and hardware features that older components do not possess.
The processor (CPU) is frequently the central limiting factor. Modern CPUs contain an integrated memory controller that dictates the maximum amount, type, and speed of Random Access Memory (RAM) a system can support.
For example, an older Intel Core i7-2637M processor is architecturally limited to supporting a maximum of 8GB of DDR3 RAM at a speed of 1333 MT/s. In contrast, a more recent i7-6700K can handle up to 64GB of faster DDR4 RAM.
This difference in memory capacity and speed directly impacts a device’s ability to run memory-intensive operating systems and multitask.
Companies stop supporting unprofitable devices
Beyond technical constraints, the decision to EoL a device is based on economic calculations.
A product is marked for EoL when it reaches a point of negative ROI, meaning the cost to develop and release patches or updates exceeds its revenue.
This high cost of support is a key pillar of the business model of planned obsolescence. This strategy involves designing a product with an artificially limited useful life to reduce the time between repeat purchases.
This strategy is effective for companies with strong brand loyalty and market control.
The cybersecurity threat of using outdated devices
Continuing to support aging hardware is also a security liability. For a company, the risk of a widespread data breach from an unsupported device is a nightmare scenario that could devastate its reputation and financial standing.
When a device officially reaches its EoL date, the manufacturer stops distributing security patches or performing vulnerability assessments. This creates a permanent, unpatchable threat surface.
Cybercriminals know this and actively target these devices, shifting the possibility of a breach from if to when.
The infamous 2017 WannaCry ransomware outbreak, which affected systems worldwide, is a reminder of this danger. This ransomware exploited a vulnerability in older, unpatched versions of Microsoft Windows.
For any organization operating in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, or government contracting, using EoL hardware can automatically fail standards compliance audits.
A data breach traced back to non-compliant, unsupported hardware can lead to regulatory fines and class-action lawsuits.
What product retirement means for consumers
While EoL decisions are driven by corporate logic, consumers feel their consequences directly.
Your device slowly becomes unusable
A device rarely stops working completely on its EoL date. Instead, it suffers a slow, creeping death.
A critical tipping point in this process is what can be termed the app apocalypse. This occurs when essential third-party applications stop working on the older operating system, effectively freezing the device in time.
Developers regularly update their apps to take advantage of new features, APIs, and security protocols available only in newer OS versions.
They establish a new minimum OS requirement to reduce their development and testing costs, effectively cutting off support for older devices.
For example, a widely reported update from WhatsApp stated that as of June 1, 2025, the app will no longer work on iPhones running an OS older than iOS 15.1 or on Android phones with an OS older than Android 5.1.
This single decision makes popular older models like the iPhone 6 and the Samsung Galaxy S4 obsolete for millions of users who rely on the app for daily communication.
Unpatched devices are magnets for cyberattacks
After a device stops receiving security updates, it becomes a liability. Without ongoing patches, it’s vulnerable to a range of cyber threats.
Ransomware is one of the most common types, where attackers encrypt personal files and demand payment for their release.
Data breaches are another major risk, potentially exposing sensitive information like private photos, messages, and financial details.
In some cases, malware can be installed to steal banking credentials, log keystrokes, or hijack the device into a botnet — a network of compromised machines to launch further attacks.
Consumers bear the cost of short device lifespans
Data shows that the average consumer replacement cycle for smartphones is shortening. In 2024, the average lifespan of a consumer smartphone in the US is 2.53 years, down from a peak of 2.96 years in 2019.
This regular replacement comes at a high price. While the global average selling price (ASP) for a smartphone reached a record $356 in 2024, this figure is heavily skewed by low-end models in growing markets.
The cost is much higher for consumers in developed markets purchasing flagship or mid-range devices.
For example, the ASP for an Apple iPhone is approximately $900. When compounded over time, these costs add up quickly.
A consumer who replaces their smartphone every 2.5 years at a mid-range price of $800 will spend $3,200 over a single decade on phone hardware alone.
This predictable, recurring expenditure, driven by software obsolescence rather than hardware failure, is a direct consequence of the EoL-centric business model.
Check update policies before you buy new tech
Before buying a new device, perform a targeted web search using key terms. Searching for the exact model name and phrases like software update policy will lead to the manufacturer’s official support page on their policies.
These guarantees are now central to marketing campaigns and are no longer hidden in the fine print.
This research should go further for more complex devices like laptops.
Look for the manufacturer’s policy on driver and firmware updates. This support is distinct from the operating system and is necessary for maintaining the hardware’s stability, performance, and security over time.
Microsoft, for example, maintains a public and detailed lifecycle page for its Surface devices, clearly stating the EoL date for each model’s firmware.
Safe ways to repurpose old gadgets
Even after a device has reached its EoL and is no longer suitable for everyday use, it can be repurposed creatively to reduce electronic waste.
A wall-mounted tablet, for example, can be turned into a digital photo frame or kept in the kitchen as a dedicated recipe station or e-reader.
Even the cameras on old phones can be used as wireless webcams with apps like DroidCam or Camo, often outperforming built-in laptop webcams.
Use caution when keeping old devices online
Remember, these unsupported devices are relics from a bygone era of security and carry security risks, especially when connected to the internet.
To stay safe, connect them to a separate guest Wi-Fi network and avoid using them for sensitive tasks such as banking or shopping.
