Apple is gearing up for the highly anticipated launch of its iPhone 17 series on September 9. In the lead-up to this event, the company has made significant updates to its support lists. Just days before the launch, Apple has officially classified the iPhone 8 Plus models as ‘vintage’ and has designated three Mac models as ‘obsolete.’ The iPhone 8 Plus, which was released in 2017, has been added to the vintage category, specifically the 64GB and 256GB storage variants. Although these models were largely unavailable in many regions, their vintage status indicates they are now over five years old but less than seven.
Apple defines a product as vintage if it has not been sold for more than five and less than seven years. This classification implies that repair services may still be accessible through Apple and authorized service providers, but availability is limited and dependent on spare parts. On the Mac front, Apple has moved three models to the obsolete list, indicating they are now more than seven years old and are no longer eligible for Apple’s repair services. The obsolete devices include the 11-inch MacBook Air from early 2015, the 13-inch MacBook Pro featuring four Thunderbolt 3 ports from 2017, and the 15-inch MacBook Pro also from 2017.
Apple states that products are considered obsolete when they have not been sold for over seven years. This status means that Apple will no longer offer hardware services for these products, although there may still be eligibility for an extended battery-only repair program for Mac laptops for up to 10 years from their last sale date. With the iPhone 17 launch imminent, Apple is also likely to discontinue several older iPhone models, consistent with its yearly strategy. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are expected to be removed from Apple’s sales channels soon after the new launch. Additionally, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, released two years ago, may also be phased out.
While official Apple Stores will cease sales of these models, third-party retailers like Amazon and Flipkart are anticipated to continue selling until their inventory is depleted. This update illustrates Apple’s ongoing product cycle, where older devices gradually phase out to accommodate newer, more advanced models. With the ‘Awe Dropping’ event on September 9 set to reveal the iPhone 17 series, Apple enthusiasts can look forward to both new hardware and the retirement of some beloved devices.