Apple Moves iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8 to Vintage List, iPad Air 2 and Mini 2 Now Obsolete

Highlights

• iPhone 7 Plus and certain iPhone 8 models (64GB & 256GB) are now vintage, meaning they may still be repairable but Apple does not guarantee parts availability.
• iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 2 have been moved to the obsolete list, making them ineligible for hardware service or repairs.
• Apple Devices become vintage after 5–7 years of discontinued sales, while obsolete products are those Apple stopped selling over 7 years ago.

Caption – Apple has added the iPhone 7 Plus model to its vintage products list. (Image credit – Apple)

Apple has just updated its list of vintage and obsolete products, which affects support and repair options for some older iPhone and iPad models.

As of today, the iPhone 7 Plus and certain iPhone 8 models have been added to Apple’s vintage list. That means these devices haven’t been sold for more than 5 years but less than 7 years. While they may still be eligible for repairs, Apple no longer guarantees that parts will be available.

All iPhone 7 Plus units specifically and the 64GB and 256GB versions of the iPhone 8 are now considered vintage. However, the 128GB iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus models (except the PRODUCT(RED) versions) aren’t on the list yet.

Here’s Apple’s current list of vintage iPhones –

• iPhone 4 (8GB)
• iPhone 5
• iPhone 6s (16GB/64GB/128GB)
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone SE
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 8 (64GB/256GB)
• iPhone 8 (PRODUCT)RED
• iPhone 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED
• iPhone X
• iPhone XS Max

In addition, Apple has now moved two iPad models from vintage to obsolete status. These are the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 2. This means these iPads are no longer eligible for hardware service or repairs from Apple or Apple Authorised Service Providers.

Apple maintains these lists to help users understand which products are still supported for service and which ones are not. As per an Apple support page, “Products are considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 5 and less than 7 years ago.” As for the obsolete list, Apple’s support page states, “Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago.”

FAQs

Q1. Which iPhones have been moved to Apple’s vintage list?

Answer. Apple has added the iPhone 7 Plus and certain iPhone 8 models (64GB & 256GB) to the vintage list, meaning they may still be repairable, but Apple does not guarantee parts availability.

Q2. Which iPads are now considered obsolete by Apple?

Answer. The iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 2 have been moved to the obsolete list, meaning they are no longer eligible for hardware service or repairs from Apple.

Q3. What is the difference between Apple’s vintage and obsolete lists?

Answer. Devices are vintage when discontinued for 5–7 years, meaning limited repairs may be available. Obsolete devices are over 7 years old and no longer eligible for service.

Also Read:

• Apple adds iPhone XS Max and Apple Watch Series 2 to vintage and obsolete lists

• Apple adds MacBook and iPad models to its vintage and obsolete lists