Popular Apple gadget soon to become ‘vintage’ as customers warned it may be more expensive to repair
APPLE customers could be stung with expensive repair bills over a product that is now deemed ‘vintage’.
The Apple Watch Series 4 has been added to a list of unwarranted products after a new design was launched.
The tech giant released the latest version of a page that explains what happens if the product’s warranty has expired.
The Series 4, which debuted in 2018, is now top of the vintage list.
Based on the company’s terms and conditions, devices become vintage when Apple has stopped selling them more than five years and less than seven years ago.
Products become obsolete when Apple stops distributing them for sale more than seven years ago.
According to Zdnet.com, watch wearers may be able to request parts and servicing, but it depends if those parts are available.
“If your local Apple Store or third-party repair shop doesn’t have the parts in stock right away, you’ll have to wit until they’re found, or you may be out of luck completely,” it explains.
Users are also encouraged to check eBay or a third-party reseller to source the parts needed.
There is an exception for Apple’s vintage products, and that is the MacBook – which users can still get a new battery for up to 10 years after sales have stopped.
According to Apple’s website, the products are “designed to be long-lasting” and are made of “durable materials that are heavily-tested” in their labs.
They’ve also said: “The longer you use your product, the better it is for the planet.”
As well as the Series 4 Apple Watch, the iPod touch 4th and 6th generation are also deemed vintage.
The MacBook Air (11-inch early 2015), MacBook Pro (13-inch 2017) and the MacBook Pro (15-inch 2019) are also on the vintage list.
Thanks to Apple’s clear and transparent obsolete policy, we can work out the devices that are likely to face the chop next year.
And on the iPhone front, it looks like the iPhone X will go.
The iPhone X was a much-loved refresh for the range, as the first to introduce the notch at the top of the screen.
Vintage Apple products as of 2025
Mac laptops
- MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, 2 TBT3)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, 4 TBT3)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, 4 TBT3)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, 4 TBT3)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
- MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
Mac desktops
- iMac (21.5-inch, Early 2013)
- iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015)
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)
- Mac mini (Late 2014)
- Mac Pro (Mid 2012)
iPod
- iPod touch (4th generation)
- iPod touch (6th generation)
iPhone
- iPhone 4 (8GB)
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 8 Red
- iPhone 8 Plus Red
- iPhone X
- iPhone XS Max
It was released back in 2017 and discontinued a year later following the introduction of the iPhone 11.
Given that 2025 will mark seven years since the iPhone X was discontinued, we can assume it will fall into the obsolete bucket very soon.
But of course, Apple do much more than iPhones and the same obsolete rules apply for much of the company’s other devices.
This means 2025 also looks set to be farewell for two iPad models too.
These are the iPad (5th generation) and iPad Air 2, which were both discontinued in 2018.