Highlights
- Apple has added the iPhone 11 Pro Max and all variants of the Apple Watch Series 3 to its vintage products list.
- Vintage status allows limited hardware service and parts availability.
- The iPhone 11 Pro Max still supports iOS 26, while the Series 3’s long shelf life ended in 2022.
Caption – iPhone 11 Pro Max. (Image credit – Apple)
Apple has officially moved the iPhone 11 Pro Max and the entire Apple Watch Series 3 lineup to its vintage products list. This was first noticed and reported by MacRumors in one of its recent reports. Interestingly, only the 6.5-inch iPhone 11 Pro Max has been added and the smaller the 5.8-inch iPhone 11 Pro is not included in the update. Here’s more on that.
Apple’s Updates Vintage Product List
Apple classifies products as vintage five years after they are discontinued. While this label doesn’t immediately affect users, Apple may still provide hardware service and replacement parts where available. However, once a device reaches 10 years after discontinuation, it transitions to the obsolete category. This means Apple will stop offering any official support.
Despite being categorised as vintage, the iPhone 11 Pro Max remains compatible with the latest iOS 26 software, ensuring it still functions smoothly for users.
The Apple Watch Series 3 also joins the vintage list today, a little over eight years after its launch in September 2017. The smartwatch had an unusually long lifespan in Apple’s lineup, remaining on sale until September 2022 as a budget-friendly option. Remarkably, it was still available while watchOS 9 was in beta testing, even though that software update was not supported on the device.
Its longevity is further highlighted by the fact that the Apple Watch Series 4 was moved to the vintage category before the Series 3, despite launching a year later.
Here’s the complete list of products Apple has just labelled as vintage –
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- Apple Watch Series 3 Aluminium (38mm)
- Apple Watch Series 3 Aluminium (42mm)
- Apple Watch Series 3 Edition (Ceramic, 38mm)
- Apple Watch Series 3 Edition (Ceramic, 42mm)
- Apple Watch Series 3 Hermès (38mm
- Apple Watch Series 3 Hermès (42mm)
- Apple Watch Series 3 Nike (38mm)
- Apple Watch Series 3 Nike (42mm)
- Apple Watch Series 3 Stainless Steel (38mm)
- Apple Watch Series 3 Stainless Steel (42mm)
FAQs
Q1. What does it mean when Apple labels a product as “vintage”?
Answer. Apple classifies a product as vintage five years after it’s discontinued. While limited hardware service and parts may still be available, support becomes more restricted. After 10 years, the product is considered obsolete and no longer receives official service.
Q2. Which devices were recently added to Apple’s vintage list?
Answer. Apple has added the iPhone 11 Pro Max and all variants of the Apple Watch Series 3, including Aluminium, Ceramic Edition, Hermès, Nike, and Stainless Steel models in both 38mm and 42mm sizes.
Q3. Can vintage Apple devices still run the latest software?
Answer. Yes, the iPhone 11 Pro Max remains compatible with iOS 26. However, the Apple Watch Series 3 was not supported by watchOS 9, despite being sold during its beta phase.