Apple is piloting a repair service for vintage devices

Apple could be introducing a new program that will extend repair service support for some of its older devices, according to a report by 9to5mac, citing sources familiar with the matter. The pilot program covers mobile devices and Macs alike, and it would extend support beyond the current five to seven years Apple currently offers.

Right now, only a handful of devices are currently covered by the new program - the GSM/CDMA model of the iPhone 5, both 11- and 13-inch variants of the 2012 MacBook Air, and, in the U.S. and Turkey, both 21- and 27-inch variants of the 2011 iMac. Apple's newest MacBook Air refresh was disappointing to some fans, so this might be good news if you want to keep your old one around a little longer.

Apple plans to add more devices to the list in the next couple of months, too, and by the end of November, the iPhone 4s and the 15-inch MacBook Pro (2012) will be supported as well. Before the year is out, support will also be provided for the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display (launched in 2012), the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro models launched in late 2012 and early 2013, the 2012 Mac Pro, and the GSM-only model of the iPhone 5.

Of course, these repairs will only be provided as long as the necessary parts are available. If they aren't, you'll be told that the device can't be repaired because it's considered vintage. As of right now, the program is still being piloted, and there's no mention of it anywhere on Apple's website, so it's currently unclear when the general population will be able to benefit from it.

Source: 9to5mac