Apple reclassifies iPhone X, HomePod, and original AirPods as ‘vintage’ devices

Apple today reclassified the iPhone X, first-generation HomePod, and first-generation AirPods as “vintage” products.

The products appeared on Apple’s list of legacy and obsolete products earlier today. Products are considered legacy if Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than five years and less than seven years ago. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers will continue to offer repairs for legacy products for an additional two years, subject to parts availability.

The iPhone X, announced on September 12, 2017 and released on November 3, 2017, represented a significant advancement in the design and features of Apple’s smartphones. Marking the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, it introduced several significant changes such as the removal of the Home button, allowing for an edge-to-edge 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display. Face ID, a facial recognition system, replaced Touch ID for authentication, using a TrueDepth camera system in a “notch” that also enabled Animojis. The iPhone X was powered by the A11 Bionic chip, featuring the company’s first dedicated Neural Engine for enhanced machine learning capabilities, and it supported wireless charging for the first time. Its stainless steel frame and glass back marked a return to a more premium aesthetic.

The original HomePod was announced on June 5, 2017, at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) and released on February 9, 2018. Initially priced at $349, the HomePod was designed to deliver high-quality audio and integrate closely with Apple’s ecosystem, including Apple Music and AirPlay. It featured a custom-designed high-excursion woofer and a beamforming tweeter array of seven. The HomePod was powered by the Apple A8 chip, enabling real-time acoustic modeling, audio beamforming, and multi-channel echo cancellation. Siri was built in, allowing users to control music playback, manage smart home devices, and access information and services through voice commands.

Apple announced the original AirPods on September 7, 2016, and officially released them on December 13, 2016, at a retail price of $159. The wireless earbuds were revolutionary due to their seamless integration into Apple’s ecosystem, facilitated by the custom-designed W1 chip. The chip enabled effortless pairing with Apple devices, long battery life, and efficient wireless connectivity. The AirPods also featured optical sensors and motion accelerometers, allowing them to detect when they were in the user’s ears, automatically pausing playback when they were removed. Their unusual, compact design, combined with the convenience of a portable charging case, set a new standard for wireless earbuds, making them highly popular and influential in the audio accessory market.

Some time after an Apple product becomes “vintage,” it is reclassified as “obsolete.” Apple states that it considers a product obsolete once seven years have passed since the company last distributed it for sale. When that happens, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers no longer offer repairs or other hardware services for that product.