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Apple has updated its list of legacy and obsolete products, reclassifying several well-known devices. These include the original iPhone SE, the second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and certain Apple Watch Series 4 models. The new classification affects repairs and future use of these devices. The determining factor is not the year of release, but rather the date Apple discontinued sales.
Apple devices are considered reliable and durable, yet the period during which Apple offers official support eventually comes to an end. Products are gradually classified first as vintage and later as obsolete. The latest update once again demonstrates how differently individual models within a product line are treated. Variants that were discontinued earlier reach this status sooner than the standard versions.
Five new products are now considered obsolete
According to Apple, five additional products have been added to the obsolete category. Specifically, this affects the following devices:
- First-generation iPhone SE
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch second generation
- Apple Watch Series 4 Hermes models
- Apple Watch Series 4 Nike models
- Beats Pill 2.0
The standard version of the Apple Watch Series 4 remains in the vintage category and is therefore not yet considered obsolete. Only the Hermes and Nike editions have achieved this status due to their earlier end of sales.
What does "outdated" mean at Apple?
Apple considers a product obsolete if sales ceased more than seven years ago. For Beats products under the Monster brand, this rule applies regardless of the purchase date. Once a device is obsolete, Apple discontinues all hardware service. Even authorized service providers can no longer order replacement parts.
There is an exception for Mac laptops. If parts are available, the repair period can be extended to up to ten years after the last date of sale.
The classification shows that it's not the market launch date that counts, but solely the end of sales. This means that individual variants of a product can become obsolete sooner than others. This is exactly what happened with the Apple Watch Series 4. The Hermes and Nike models were discontinued earlier, but the standard version remained on sale for longer.
Why some Apple models become obsolete faster
Many Apple product lines have different variants that aren't discontinued at the same time. This can lead to models of the same generation being classified differently. A similar situation recently occurred with AirPort products. These new changes demonstrate once again that buyers should pay close attention to how long their model was actually on sale.
How to check your device status
Apple maintains an official list of vintage and obsolete products. Devices are considered vintage five years after their sale ends. From that point, it takes a maximum of two years for them to become completely obsolete. Anyone wanting to know if their device will soon no longer be repairable can find all the relevant information there.
When Apple devices are permanently discontinued from service
The new classification clearly shows which Apple devices will no longer receive support. For models like the first iPhone SE or the second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro, this means that repairs are no longer possible. The special versions of the Apple Watch Series 4 have also reached this point. Apple device users benefit from support for a long time, but should always keep track of when the service ends. This allows them to plan ahead and decide whether and when a new device makes sense. (Image: Shutterstock / Constantin Iosif)
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