Apple has refreshed its catalog of vintage and obsolete products, incorporating five new entries into the ‘obsolete’ category. This includes the original iPhone SE, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation), along with various models of the Apple Watch and Beats. Below are the specifics of the newly added items:
### Five New Additions to Apple’s Obsolete Products List
As reported by Aaron Perris on X, Apple has recently revised its list of obsolete products. The items that are now categorized as obsolete are:
– iPhone SE (first generation)
– iPad Pro 12.9-inch (second generation)
– Apple Watch Series 4 Hermes models
– Apple Watch Series 4 Nike models
– Beats Pill 2.0
It’s noteworthy that the standard Apple Watch Series 4 still maintains its vintage classification and has not yet transitioned to obsolete status, as only the Hermes and Nike variants have been included on this list.
### What Does It Mean for a Product to Be Considered Obsolete?
Per Apple, products are considered obsolete when they haven’t been sold for over 7 years. Moreover, Monster-branded Beats items are considered obsolete irrespective of their purchase date. Apple ceases all hardware service for obsolete products, and service providers cannot order parts for these devices. Nonetheless, Mac laptops may be eligible for an extended battery-only repair period of up to 10 years from their last sale date, contingent upon parts availability.
The designation of products as obsolete takes place 7 years after they are no longer sold, opposed to 7 years after their original launch. This can result in certain versions of a product being obsolete while others are still classified as vintage. For example, the standard Apple Watch Series 4 was still available for purchase after the Nike and Hermes models were discontinued.
### Keeping Track of Vintage and Obsolete Products
If you are worried about your devices becoming obsolete and losing their repair eligibility, you can find the complete list of vintage products on Apple’s support page. A product is deemed vintage 5 years after it stops being sold, which means items on this list will convert to obsolete status in two years or less.
For individuals wishing to remain informed about Apple’s product classifications, it is recommended to periodically check the lists provided by Apple to ensure that your devices continue to qualify for service and support.
