It is with a heavy heart and a glitched screen that I announce the peaceful passing of my beloved iPhone 4. After a long, historic 16-year life, its display finally succumbed to the dreaded “stripe epidemic” of 2026, forcing us to say our final goodbyes.
Born in the magical year of 2010, iPhone 4 burst onto the scene as my very first smartphone. It was the ultimate shiny tech toy, mesmerizing us with a magical “Retina display” and a glass back that we prayed would never shatter. It immediately proved its worth by capturing stunning, state-of-the-art 5-megapixel photos of New York City, turning a 2010 vacation into a digital masterpiece.
As the years rolled on and mobile technology sprinted ahead, iPhone 4 refused to be obsolete. It gracefully transitioned into retirement, taking up honorable duty as the official, permanent living room clock. It stood watch for years, ticking away faithfully until the lower third of its screen gave out, rendering time a bit too abstract to read.
iPhone 4 is preceded in retirement by its faithful successors, who picked up the mantle of daily life: the sleek iPhone 6 and the sturdy iPhone SE (2020) who still serve as video cameras in their retirements. It also leaves behind its current, hyper-advanced relative, the iPhone 17, who currently rules the pocket.
We take comfort in knowing that this is not the absolute end. Its SIM card has been destroyed, its iCloud bonds have been severed, and its body is headed to the great recycling center in the sky. May its aluminum and glass be melted down, reborn, and recycled into an exciting new piece of future technology.
Rest in Pixels, old friend. 2010 – 2026.