Apple has officially updated its lists of vintage and obsolete products, with changes that impact both iPhone and iPad users. These updates may affect the repair options available for certain older Apple devices, particularly for those in the secondary market where longevity and serviceability are critical.
Two extra Apple iPhones now vintage
The Apple iPhone 7 Plus and specific models of the Apple iPhone 8 (64GB and 256GB) are now classified as vintage. This means that they have not been sold for more than five years but less than seven. While Apple still provides repairs for vintage products, service availability is subject to parts availability and not guaranteed.
Obsolete status for two iPads
Apple has also moved the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 2 from its vintage list to the obsolete list. Once a product is marked obsolete—typically more than seven years after its last sale—Apple ends all hardware service support, even through authorized service providers.
Implications for the secondary mobile market
For the refurbished and used electronics sector, these status changes serve as important indicators of risk and repairability. Sellers and buyers should be aware that once a product enters vintage or obsolete status, securing official replacement parts becomes more difficult or impossible, impacting resale value.
Apple’s current vintage iPhone list
The updated vintage iPhone list now includes the Apple iPhone 4 (8GB), iPhone 5, iPhone 6s series, iPhone SE, iPhone 7 Plus, Apple iPhone 8 (64GB/256GB), iPhone 8 and 8 Plus (Red) models, Apple iPhone X, and Apple iPhone XS Max.
Parts scarcity may shape trade-ins
With more Apple products losing guaranteed service options, the secondary market may face tighter margins on devices once considered safe bets. For traders, knowledge of these lists is increasingly essential when pricing or accepting devices for resale.
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