Apple iPhone buried for 250 years probably won’t work, report says

A AppleiPhone 17 Pro Max that was buried as part of an America250 time capsule probably won’t work when it’s time to dig it up. The American Time Capsule, to be unearthed in 2276, includes a iPhone with a Notes application offering “digital artifacts” for future readers.

However, a report from Forbes suggests that the iPhone will be unusable for future generations. THE battery is a “fundamental failure point” because lithium-ion batteries degrade over time. The report also suggests that Apple’s “restrictive practices”, such as dropping support for older models, would prevent the phone from being unlocked, even if it survives.

This assumes that humans will even be using wall outlets, chargers, and the same types of power supplies and energy voltages in 250 years – and that Apple servers will still be active.

America Innovates is an event co-hosted by Forbes and America250. It is unclear whether the inclusion of Apple’s device was intended to comment on the company’s “planned obsolescence” business strategy, whereby products are designed with a limited lifespan.

Representatives for America Innovates did not immediately respond to CNET’s request for clarification.

It was cutting edge technology…

Burying technology in a time capsule may be functionally useless for preservation, but is nonetheless valuable as a cultural mirror. Of course, the hardware will fail long before two centuries pass, but it serves a historical rather than a practical purpose.

Still, it’s probably worth including a disclaimer that we honestly thought we were living in the ultimate digital age when the capsule went underground. This cutting-edge technology will likely be glorified, non-biodegradable plastic waste in 250 years.

The 900-pound time capsule is also filled with photos, documents and other items from all three branches of government, as well as all 50 states and territories. These items include a stainless steel rosary from Puerto Rico and a pocket Constitution signed by Supreme Court justices.

Experts warn that time capsules are an ineffective way to preserve information for several reasons, including the presence of groundwater. A 2019 article stated that 99% of capsules discovered are destroyed or, perhaps worse, simply boring.

“Burying something is literally the worst way to preserve it for future generations,” Paleofuture blogger Matt Novak told Mental Floss, “but we keep doing it.”

The iPhone is also not the first Apple product to be buried underground only to be dug up later. In 2013, a once-lost “Steve Jobs time capsule,” buried 30 years previously, was discovered with an Apple mouse inside. A six-pack of Ballantine beer and a Rubik’s Cube were also included.