# Apple Refreshes Vintage and Obsolete Product Listings: Essential Insights
Apple has recently revised its catalog of vintage and obsolete products, a change that affects owners of older devices. The most recent entries include the iPhone XS Max and the iPhone 6s Plus, now classified as vintage, along with multiple models of the Apple Watch Series 2, which fall under the obsolete category. This article explores what these classifications imply for consumers and the importance of these updates.
## Recent Additions to Vintage and Obsolete Lists
As reported by Joe Rossignol at *MacRumors*, these recent changes followed a past update involving various Macs and iPads. The details of the new additions are as follows:
### New Vintage Products
– **iPhone XS Max**
– **iPhone 6s Plus**
### New Obsolete Products
– **Apple Watch Series 2, Aluminum (2nd generation), 38mm**
– **Apple Watch Series 2, Aluminum (2nd generation), 42mm**
– **Apple Watch Series 2, Stainless Steel (2nd generation), 38mm**
– **Apple Watch Series 2, Stainless Steel (2nd generation), 42mm**
Interestingly, the iPhone XS Max and iPhone 6s Plus have been classified as vintage at the same time, despite a release gap of three years—2015 for the 6s Plus and 2018 for the XS Max. This inconsistency illustrates Apple’s classification method, which hinges on when a product is discontinued rather than its release date.
## Clarifying Apple’s Definitions for Vintage and Obsolete Products
Apple provides clear definitions for vintage and obsolete categories:
– **Vintage**: Products are classified as vintage once Apple has halted sales for over 5 years but under 7 years.
– **Obsolete**: Products are labeled obsolete when Apple has stopped sales for more than 7 years. Importantly, all hardware services for obsolete products are terminated, and service providers cannot acquire parts for these devices. However, certain Mac laptops may qualify for an extended battery-only repair period of up to 10 years from the last sale date, contingent on parts availability.
These classifications are strictly chronological and disregard other elements such as product performance or market demand.
## Effects on Consumers
The ramifications of these classifications are substantial for users of older Apple devices. Vintage items may still be eligible for repair services from Apple, provided parts are in stock. Contrarily, obsolete items lack repair support, presenting challenges for users aiming to sustain device functionality.
As technology progresses, device lifespans shorten, prompting consumers to upgrade sooner than expected. For those dependent on vintage devices, being aware of possible restrictions in service and support is vital.
## Summary
The latest revisions to Apple’s vintage and obsolete product lists highlight the swift pace of technological change and the inevitable obsolescence of gadgets. For users of the newly identified iPhone XS Max and iPhone 6s Plus, along with the Apple Watch Series 2, understanding these classifications can guide future purchasing and repair choices.
Are you surprised by any of the recent updates to Apple’s vintage and obsolete lists? Share your views in the comments below!
