Apple has officially added the iPhone 7 Plus and two versions of the iPhone 8 to its vintage product list. These devices are now over five years old since their last sale. Apple uses this label to mark products that may still qualify for service, but only if parts remain available.
What Happens When a Product Becomes Vintage?
Apple marks devices as vintage when they haven’t been sold for more than five years but less than seven. After seven years, Apple classifies them as obsolete, ending all official support. While vintage products may still receive repairs, it’s harder to find available replacement parts.
iPhone 7 Plus: A Mix of Innovation and Issues
Apple launched the iPhone 7 Plus in 2016 with its first dual-camera setup and a solid-state home button. Many users praised its design and camera performance. However, it also had widespread issues with audio chips, known as “Loop Disease.”
Affected users experienced microphone failure and call problems. Apple faced a class-action lawsuit and settled it in January 2024. The settlement offered payouts from $49 to $350. Those who missed the window may now face limited repair options.
iPhone 8 Also Nears End of Support
Apple also added the 64GB and 256GB versions of the iPhone 8 to the vintage list. The 128GB model remains active for now because Apple sold it longer. Released in 2017, the iPhone 8 introduced wireless charging and offered a classic design alternative to the iPhone X.
Older iPads Move to Obsolete List
In the same update, Apple moved the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 2 to its obsolete product list. These models are now over ten years old and will no longer receive any service or parts.
Time to Consider an Upgrade
With repairs becoming harder and support ending, users may want to upgrade to newer models. Apple’s decision reflects its ongoing push to streamline support around newer hardware and software. Holding on to these older devices may soon become impractical.
