Apple has officially categorized the iPhone X, first-generation HomePod, and first-generation AirPods as "vintage" products.
The products can be viewed on Apple's vintage and obsolete products list right now.
It's important to note that a gadget is considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing it for sale more than five and less than seven years ago.
You can go to the Apple Stores or any Authorized Service Providers if you want your vintage stuff to get repaired. It will be covered for up to two or more years, but there's no guarantee that its parts will be available.
iPhone X: A Throwback to Your First Smartphone Experience
For those unfamiliar with the iPhone X, MacRumors has a quick throwback about its history. According to the report, it was first launched on November 3, 2017. When the iPhone celebrated its 10th anniversary, Apple decided to add several new features including a revamped TouchID and a Super Retina OLED display. It even ditched the home button to make room for more useful features.
The A11 Bionic chip serves as the official chip of the iPhone X and back then, it was already impressive with enhanced machine learning capabilities and wireless charging thanks to Neural Engine. Its stainless steel frame and glass back design signaled a return to a more premium aesthetic.
Related Article : Apple Adds 2017 MacBook Pro Models With Touch Bar to Official List of Vintage Products
HomePod: Revolutionizing Smart Speakers
Initially announced on June 5, 2017, at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), the original HomePod debuted eight months later. At $349, it's not a cheap smart home accessory anymore, but Apple did not fail to deliver a seamless set of functionalities for this little item.
Powered by the Apple A8 chip, the HomePod enabled real-time acoustic modeling, audio beamforming, and multi-channel echo cancellation. With Siri built-in, users could control music playback, manage smart home devices, and access information and services via voice commands.
AirPods: Setting the Standard for Wireless Earphones
The last items to be reclassified as "vintage" are the AirPods which were announced on September 7, 2016. Three months later, Apple officially released it at a retail price of $159.
These wireless earbuds revolutionized the audio market with their seamless integration into Apple's ecosystem, facilitated by the custom-designed W1 chip. This chip allowed effortless pairing with Apple devices, extended battery life, and efficient wireless connectivity.
The AirPods also featured optical sensors and motion accelerometers, allowing them to detect when they were in the user's ears, automatically pausing playback when removed. Their unique, compact design and the convenience of a portable charging case set a new standard for wireless earphones, making them highly popular and influential.
From Vintage to Obsolete
After being classified as vintage, an Apple product eventually becomes obsolete. Apple considers a product obsolete once seven years have passed since it was last sold.
When this happens, Apple Stores and Authorized Service Providers no longer offer repairs or other hardware services for it.
In April, the Cupertino titan added the iPhone 6 Plus to this obsolete list while the iPad Mini 4th generation was now a part of the vintage list, according to NDTV.
In December, the original iPhone SE and the second-gen iPad Pro were categorized as vintage. The same went for the Apple Watch Series 1.
