Apple’s first Pro Max iPhone — the iPhone 11 Pro Max — now falls under the vintage category. The Apple Watch Series 3 lineup joins the list, too.
The smaller iPhone 11 Pro does not join the list yet, as Apple sold it for a longer timeframe than the Pro Max model.
iPhone 11 Pro is yet to join the list
Apple classifies a product as vintage five years after it stops selling it. The iPhone 11 Pro Max went on sale starting September 20, 2019. While the smaller iPhone 11 Pro also launched on the same day, Apple likely continued selling it for longer through third-party retailers. This explains why it has not marked the model as vintage. But it should join the list sooner rather than later.
Even as a vintage product, the iPhone 11 Pro lineup remains compatible with iOS 26. This is a testament to Apple’s long-term software support.
Alongside the iPhone, Apple also marked the Apple Watch Series 3 and all its variations as vintage. The smartwatch launched in September 2017, and Apple officially continued selling it until at least 2020.
Unlike the iPhone, the company dropped software support for the Apple Watch Series 3 long ago. It last received the watchOS 8.8.1 update on June 21, 2023.
Vintage devices get limited hardware support
Despite being marked vintage, the iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 3 will still receive repair support at Apple Stores and authorized providers. However, this will only continue as long as the necessary parts are available.
Apple will mark the iPhone 11 Pro and Apple Watch Series 3 as obsolete seven years after it stops selling them. Once that happens, it will stop providing all hardware support for them.
Source: MacRumors
