Apple’s Beloved Gadget on the Verge of ‘Vintage’ Status: Repair Costs Set to Skyrocket!

APPLE consumers may face hefty repair expenses for a product that is now classified as ‘vintage’.

The Apple Watch Series 4 has been included in a roster of unsupported products following the introduction of a new model.

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The technology powerhouse published the newest version of a document that elucidates the situation for products once their warranty has lapsed.

Launched in 2018, the Series 4 is currently at the forefront of the vintage listing.

According to the company’s stipulations, devices are categorized as vintage if Apple has ceased selling them over five but less than seven years ago.

Devices are labeled obsolete if they have not been available for sale for more than seven years.

As reported by Zdnet.com, users of the watch could potentially request components and service, but this is contingent on the availability of said components.

“If your nearby Apple Store or an independent repair shop doesn’t have the necessary parts in stock immediately, you’ll have to await their arrival, or you could be completely out of luck,” it clarifies.

Owners are also advised to explore eBay or third-party sellers for procuring required parts.

Notably, there is a caveat for Apple’s vintage products, which is the MacBook – users can still acquire a new battery up to 10 years after the product has been discontinued.

According to Apple’s webpage, the products are “engineered to endure” and manufactured from “long-lasting materials that are rigorously tested” in their facilities.

They also stated: “The longer you maintain your product, the more beneficial it is for the environment.”

In addition to the Series 4 Apple Watch, the iPod touch 4th and 6th generations are also classified as vintage.

The MacBook Air (11-inch early 2015), MacBook Pro (13-inch 2017), and the MacBook Pro (15-inch 2019) are likewise included in the vintage category.

Thanks to Apple’s clear and straightforward obsolete policy, we can predict which devices might be phased out next year.

On the iPhone front, it appears the iPhone X is on the exit list.

The iPhone X was a highly appreciated refresh for the series, as it was the first to introduce the notch at the top of the display.

It was launched back in 2017 and discontinued a year later following the reveal of the iPhone 11.

With 2025 marking the seventh anniversary since the iPhone X was discontinued, it is reasonable to expect it will soon fall into the obsolete category.

However, Apple produces much more than just iPhones, and the same rules for obsolescence apply to many of the company’s other gadgets.

This suggests that 2025 is likely to say goodbye to two iPad models as well.

These include the iPad (5th generation) and iPad Air 2, both of which were discontinued in 2018.

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