In 2025, Apple moved several well-loved gadgets to its dreaded obsolete list — including the original and popular iPhone SE — meaning hardware service is no longer available. Also chopped were the Apple Watch Series 1, second-generation iPad Pro (12.9-inch), and Apple Watch Series 4 Nike and Hermès models.
There’s often a fuss when Apple makes products obsolete, stemming from frustration with planned obsolescence. A lack of parts makes these older devices unrepairable, forcing upgrades and creating e-waste. Here’s the list of products Apple killed in 2025, and the ones heading to the chopping block in 2026.
All the products Apple killed in 2025 — and what to expect in 2026
Now obsolete (no repairs)
Photo: AB/Unsplash
Products are considered obsolete seven years after Apple stops distributing them for sale, and Apple discontinues all hardware service for them (with some limited exceptions for Mac laptops, which may be eligible for battery-only repairs for up to 10 years).
Meanwhile, other devices like the iPhone 11 Pro Max and all Apple Watch Series 3 models became “vintage,” which allows limited repairs if parts exist. Apple also discontinued multiple products last year in favor of newer versions — a practice it does every year. And we can expect more popular products to be killed off in 2026, although predictions along those lines are speculative.
iPhones made obsolete in 2025
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
iPads made obsolete
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
Apple Watches made obsolete
- Apple Watch Series 1 (all models; moved from the vintage list)
- Apple Watch Series 4 (Hermès and Nike models): The standard Series 4 models remain on the vintage list, but the Hermès and Nike variants were added to the obsolete list in December.
MacBooks made obsolete
- MacBook Air (11-inch, early 2015)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, 4 Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
Other Apple products made obsolete in 2025
- Beats Pill 2.0
- Second-generation AirPort Express, 2TB and 3TB AirPort Time Capsules, and 802.11ac AirPort Extreme
Now vintage (limited repairs)
Photo: Apple
Products are considered vintage when Apple stops distributing them for sale more than five but less than seven years ago. Apple retail stores and authorized service providers can still offer repairs for vintage products, but only if the required parts are available.
iPhones made vintage in 2025
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 8 (128GB model), as of May 2025
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
Apple Watches made vintage
- Apple Watch Series 3 (all models)
- Apple Watch Series 4 (standard models, not including Nike or Hermès variants)
Macs made vintage
- Mac Pro (late 2013, “trash can” design)
- Mac mini (2018)
The products Apple discontinued in 2025 (replaced with newer models)
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
These products are newly discontinued, meaning Apple has stopped selling them directly, but they are not yet considered vintage or obsolete and will continue to receive full support and repairs for several more years. The products continue to be sold by a wide range of third parties.
iPhones discontinued in 2025
- iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max (replaced by iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max after iPhone 17 event)
- iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus (replaced by iPhone 17 and iPhone Air)
- iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Note: The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus remain available at reduced prices. The “Plus” naming was discontinued with the iPhone 17 lineup, replaced by the “Air” model, making the iPhone 16 Plus the last “Plus” model available.
Discontinued Apple Watches
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 (replaced by Apple Watch Ultra 3)
- Apple Watch Series 10 (replaced by Apple Watch Series 11)
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation, replaced by Apple Watch SE 3)
Discontinued Macs
- MacBook Air (M3, replaced by M4 models in 13-inch and 15-inch)
- Mac Studio (M2 Max and M2 Ultra models, replaced by M4 Max and M3 Ultra versions)
Discontinued iPads
- iPad (10th generation, 2022 model with A14 chip, replaced by model with A16 chip)
- iPad Air (M2, replaced by M3 model)
Other products discontinued in 2025:
- AirPods Pro 2 (2nd generation, replaced by AirPods Pro 3 with heart rate sensor and improved audio)
- Vision Pro (1st generation with M2 chip) replaced by updated model with M5 chip in October 2025.
- MagSafe charger (original, replaced by Qi2.2 version with 25W charging)
Apple products expected to be made obsolete or vintage in 2026
Photo: Apple
Based on Apple’s consistent policies around vintage, obsolete and product lifecycle management, we expect several devices will probably change status in 2026:
- iPhone 7 Plus (discontinued September 2018, now vintage but approaching seven-year mark and could be marked obsolete)
- iPhone X (discontinued September 2018, expected to become obsolete)
- iPad Pro 10.5-inch (2017 model could become obsolete)
- Apple Watch Series 3 (all models, currently vintage, these will become obsolete two years from their vintage designation (expected late 2026 or early 2027)
- Various 2017-2018 Mac models that are currently vintage.
Expected to become vintage
- iPhone XR (discontinued September 2021, will reach vintage status in September 2026)
- iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro (discontinued September 2020, expected to reach vintage status, though the iPhone 11 Pro Max already achieved this status in 2025)
- Apple Watch Series 5: Expected to transition from current to vintage status.
- iPad Air (3rd generation, 2019): Likely to become vintage as it passes the five-year mark.
Expected to be discontinued
Apple typically announces new products in spring and fall, which will result in older models being discontinued. The following predictions are based on Apple’s historical patterns and current rumors. Actual timelines may vary depending on product availability, parts inventory and Apple’s strategic decisions. Apple maintains a public list of all vintage and obsolete products on its support website.
- iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: Expected to be discontinued after the iPhone 18 Pro launch in fall 2026.
- iPhone 17 series: Some models may be discontinued if Apple releases the rumored foldable iPhone and iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026.
- Current Mac models: M4 and M5 Mac models currently on sale may be replaced by M6 versions with rumored OLED displays for MacBook Pro.
- AirTag (1st generation): Expected to be replaced by AirTag 2 in early 2026.
- Vision Pro (M5 model): May be replaced or supplemented by rumored Vision Air, a more affordable version.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
