Apple Adds iPhone XS Max and Apple Watch Series 2 to Vintage and Obsolete Lists

Highlights

• Apple updates its vintage and obsolete product lists.
• Added the iPhone XS Max and Apple Watch Series 2 models to the lists.
• “Vintage” products are those not sold for more than 5 but less than 7 years and may still be repairable.
• “Obsolete” products are those not sold for more than 7 years and are no longer eligible for Apple repairs.

If you are someone who holds onto their old Apple devices then Apple’s vintage and obsolete product list is something you must keep a tab on.

You never know when Apple will add your old iPhone or MacBook to this list of products the brand no longer can provide support for.

In the last few months, this is the third time Apple has updated its list and here are the new entrants.

Apple has updated its vintage and obsolete product lists adding devices such as the iPhone XS Max and Apple Watch Series 2 models.

Joe Rossignol at MacRumors spotted the updated list earlier and shared details in a recent report.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s new and what these classifications mean for users.

Newly Added to the Lists

Vintage Products:

• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone 6s Plus

Obsolete Products:

• Apple Watch Series 2, Aluminum (2nd generation), 38mm
• Apple Watch Series 2, Aluminum (2nd generation), 42mm
• Apple Watch Series 2, Stainless Steel (2nd generation), 38mm
• Apple Watch Series 2, Stainless Steel (2nd generation), 42mm

The iPhone XS Max and iPhone 6s Plus joining the vintage list together is notable since the two phones were released three years apart—the 6s Plus in 2015 and the XS Max in 2018.

However, Apple bases its vintage and obsolete designations on when a product was last sold and not when it was released. This is why the iPhone 6s Plus has enjoyed an extended market presence and is now considered vintage alongside the newer XS Max.

What Do Apple’s “Vintage” and “Obsolete” Tags Mean?

Apple defines these terms based on the time elapsed since a product was discontinued from sale:

Vintage: Products not sold for more than 5 years but less than 7 years. These devices may still be repairable at Apple or authorized service providers, depending on parts availability.

Obsolete: Products not sold for more than 7 years. Apple does not provide any hardware service for these devices, and service providers cannot order parts.

However, Mac laptops may qualify for battery-only repairs for up to 10 years if parts are available.

These classifications impact repairability. While vintage products might still receive some support obsolete devices are no longer eligible for Apple repairs.

This update follows Apple’s recent addition of various Macs and iPads to the vintage list last month continuing the company’s practice of phasing out support for older devices.

FAQS

Q1. What are the newly added devices to Apple’s vintage and obsolete lists?

Answer. The newly added devices are the iPhone XS Max and the Apple Watch Series 2 models.

Q2. What is the difference between Apple’s “vintage” and “obsolete” tags?

Answer. “Vintage” products are those not sold for more than 5 but less than 7 years and may still be repairable. “Obsolete” products are those not sold for more than 7 years and are no longer eligible for Apple repairs.

Q3. Why are the iPhone XS Max and iPhone 6s Plus considered vintage together?

Answer. The iPhone XS Max and iPhone 6s Plus are considered vintage because Apple bases its vintage and obsolete designations on when a product was last sold not when it was released.