[REVISION HISTORY]

Apple expands obsolete product list for iPhone and Mac

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-01 15:52 UTC → 2026-09-06 08:29 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Apple has expanded its list of obsolete products, moving several Intel-based devices from the vintage category to the obsolete designation. This classification occurs approximately seven years after a product is no longer distributed for sale, signaling the end of official hardware repairs and the availability of original replacement parts through Apple and its authorized service providers. ~~In addition to the previously identified iPhone X and the 15-inch 2018 MacBook Pro, three Intel-based MacBook models have been~~ The newly reclassified ~~as obsolete:~~ models include the 2018 13-inch Retina MacBook Air, the 2018 13-inch MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, and the 2017 13-inch MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt 3 ports. This transition reflects a broader shift in Apple’s ecosystem as the company moves away from Intel processors toward its proprietary Apple silicon chips. Under Apple’s lifecycle policy, products are typically considered “vintage” between five and seven years after their last distribution, during which repairs may still be available if parts are in stock. Once a device reaches “obsolete” status, official hardware service is discontinued. Authorized service providers will no longer be able to order parts such as logic boards, displays, or keyboards for these specific machines. Users facing issues such as screen, battery, or Face ID failures must now rely on independent third-party repair services. Regarding software, these models are expected to reach their end-of-life with macOS 26, as they will not receive the macOS 27 update, which is exclusive to Apple’s M-series chips. A specific exception remains for Mac laptops: Apple may continue to offer battery replacement services for up to ten years after a product's last commercial distribution, provided that necessary parts remain available in its warehouses.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.