Apple Declares Original iPhone SE and Second-Gen iPad Pro as 'Vintage'

Apple has added its first iPhone SE and second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro to its list of "vintage" products, effectively losing guaranteed Apple repairs and consistent software updates, according to Macrumors.

The original iPhone SE, which came out in March 2016, was reportedly sold until September 2018, while the second-gen iPad was discontinued in October of the same year, which means it has been five years since both gadgets were last available for sale.

Apple's "vintage" label is reportedly given to its products that the company stopped distributing for sale for over five years and less than seven years ago.

According to Lifehacker, when an Apple device is classified as "vintage," the company no longer guarantees that it can be repaired in any Apple store or by an authorized service provider, and it will also simultaneously stop receiving regular software updates.

The Mickey Beats Solo3 headphones were also reportedly added to the "vintage list," while the Powerbeats 2 and Solo2 Wireless headphones are now considered obsolete.

Apple's 'Vintage' and 'Obsolete' Labels

However, this "vintage" label proves not to be a complete loss of support as some reports stated that older Apple products may continue to function even with no updates.

Some devices even receive system upgrades occasionally, granted the devices are compatible with the newest operating systems or if a significant security vulnerability has to be fixed. "Vintage" devices can also be repaired, depending on the circumstances.

However, Apple Insider reported that there are location-based exceptions to the "vintage" status of devices, saying that certain countries, such as France, do have unique specifications, such as owners of iPhones and Macs bought in 2021 or later are reportedly still eligible to get service and parts from Apple or service partners for a period of 7 years.

Apple devices are usually labeled vintage five years after Apple last sold the device, and they are marked as obsolete after two more years or the seven-year point, receiving no support, meaning no more security patches or system upgrades or losing their ability to be serviced, with just one exception.

MacBooks may still be eligible for an extended battery-only repair term of up to 10 years. Consumers can access Apple's support site to learn more about its "vintage" and "obsolete" products.

Big Tech Devices' Lifespan

"Vintage" and "obsolete" labels are not new to consumer electronics as almost every Big Tech company implements a certain lifespan for its devices. According to Gizchina, Apple is one of the companies offering the longest product support, with its five-year period providing major updates on IOS.

On the other hand, Samsung has been distributing major updates for its Galaxy S and specific Galaxy A devices for four years, with higher-end devices possibly receiving longer periods, leading the Android smartphone market regarding software support.

Samsung has been providing four years of significant upgrades and an extra two years of support for its folding phones and high-end smartphones, such as the S23, S22, S21, and their corresponding versions, since the S22 generation.

Google Pixel devices are reportedly lagging behind, with only three years of significant upgrades and five years of security patches being provided to its latest smartphones, such as the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel 6. That seems insufficient for a company that owns the Android operating system.