Just days before the launch of the iPhone 17, Apple has officially added several older devices to its vintage and obsolete product lists. The update includes the iPhone 8 Plus, MacBook Pro 15 inch (2017), MacBook Pro 13 inch (2017 with four Thunderbolt 3 ports), and MacBook Air 11 inch (early 2015).
According to Apple’s classification, products become vintage once they have been off the market for more than five years but less than seven. These devices may still receive limited repair services depending on parts availability. After seven years, Apple products are deemed obsolete, which ends all hardware service and support except in rare cases where parts are still stocked.
The iPhone 8 Plus, available in 64GB and 256GB versions, now joins the vintage list. Released in 2017 alongside the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, the model remained on sale until 2020 when it was replaced by the second generation iPhone SE. The red coloured editions of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus were already considered vintage before this update.
Meanwhile, the 2017 MacBook Pro 15 inch, the 2017 MacBook Pro 13 inch with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, and the early 2015 11 inch MacBook Air are now classified as obsolete. The 11 inch MacBook Air, first launched in 2010, became known for its thin and lightweight design and was produced until 2015. The 2017 MacBook Pro models marked the second phase of Apple’s 2016 redesign, which introduced the Touch Bar, an OLED strip replacing traditional function keys. However, these laptops also featured the controversial butterfly keyboard, which faced widespread criticism and eventually resulted in a $50 million class action lawsuit settlement.
Apple’s decision aligns with its regular product cycle that retires devices around seven years after production ends. For users still holding these models, software updates and official servicing are no longer guaranteed.
The update underscores Apple’s shift toward new technologies as it prepares to unveil the iPhone 17, turning focus to the next wave of innovation.
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