Apple says three products are now vintage: AirPods, iPhone X, and more

Apple says three products are now vintage: AirPods, iPhone X, and more

Apple has officially added new products to its Vintage and obsolete products list. The iPhone X, first-generation HomePod, and first-generation AirPods now fall in the company's "vintage" products list. Apple classifies devices as vintage after it has been more than 5 years since it stopped the sale of those products.With their "vintage" status, Apple Stores and Authorized Service Providers will continue to offer repairs for these products for up to two more years, subject to parts availability. Eventually, these devices will transition to "obsolete" status, meaning they will no longer be eligible for hardware service from Apple.

When Apple designates a product as obsolete, it typically means that a significant amount of time has passed since the company last sold that device. In the case of iPhones, it's usually around seven years after the device was last distributed for sale. For example, the iPhone 6 Plus is considered obsolete as of 2024 because it was discontinued in September 2016. So, if you're still using an obsolete iPhone and it experiences any problems, you'll need to explore alternative options for repair or replacement. This might include seeking out third-party repair services, purchasing replacement parts and attempting a DIY repair, or considering upgrading to a newer iPhone model. The news comes after the company recently added the iPhone 6 as obsolete and the iPad Mini to the vintage list.

To recall, the iPhone X ---- announced in September 2017---- arrived with several firsts for Apple. This includes an edge-to-edge 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display, elimination of the home button, and addition of Face ID powered by TrueDepth camera within the "notch." This phone featured the A11 Bionic chip, Apple's first to include a dedicated Neural Engine for advanced machine learning.

Launched in 2018, the original HomePod was Apple's entry into the smart speaker market. It was designed to offer high-fidelity audio and deep integration with Apple's ecosystem, particularly Apple Music and AirPlay. The HomePod was equipped with a custom-engineered woofer, seven tweeters, and the A8 chip, which enabled features like real-time acoustic modeling and audio beamforming. Siri was also integrated to enable better control of playback.

Lastly, the first-generation AirPods, which were released in December 2016, quickly became iconic for their wireless convenience and seamless integration with Apple devices. Powered by the W1 chip, they offered easy pairing, robust wireless connectivity, and a compact design that included a portable charging case. Features like optical sensors and motion accelerometers allowed for automatic playback pausing when the earbuds were removed, setting a new standard in the audio accessory market.