Understanding Apple's New 'Vintage Mode': Implications for Outdated Devices | ZDNet
Understanding Apple’s New ‘Vintage Mode’: Is Your Device Outdated? Find Out the Implications
Kayla Solino/ZDNET
That six-year-old iPhone or eight-year-old iPad you own may still be running, but if you need any replacement parts or servicing, you’re likely to bump into trouble. That’s because Apple deems products vintage or obsolete after a certain number of years, limiting your repair options.
In a support page updated on Monday as spotted by 9to5Mac , Apple explains how support and servicing work when a product is no longer under warranty and reveals which unlucky devices are now considered vintage or obsolete. In a nutshell, devices become vintage when Apple has stopped selling them more than five years but less than seven years ago. They become obsolete when Apple halted sales more than seven years ago.
Also: The best iPhone models you can buy right now (and if you should wait for iPhone 16)
As a few examples, the iPhone X, the fifth-generation iPad, the Apple Watch Series 2, the first-generation AirPods, and the early 2015 MacBook Air are all now considered vintage by Apple. The iPhone 6 Plus, the fourth-generation iPad, the first-generation Apple Watch, the first three generations of the Apple TV, and the 2013 MacBook Air are all labeled obsolete by Apple.
Apple and independent repair providers will provide parts and service for Apple and Beats products for up to five years after sales ended. OK, no problem there.
Newsletters
ZDNET Tech Today
ZDNET’s Tech Today newsletter is a daily briefing of the newest, most talked about stories, five days a week.
Subscribe
If a product is considered vintage, however, you may still be able to request parts and service, depending on the availability of the parts. So if your local Apple Store or independent shop doesn’t have the parts in stock, you may have to wait until they’re found, or you may be out of luck entirely. In that case, you might have to turn to eBay or another third-party reseller to try to dig up the parts yourself.
Also: 8 cool ways to use LiDAR on your iPhone and iPad
The news is worse for a product considered obsolete. In those cases, Apple discontinues all hardware service for such devices, and service providers can’t even order parts for them. The only exception is a MacBook, which may be able to score a battery-only repair for as long as 10 years after Apple curtailed sales, but only if parts are available.
The cynical take on all of this is that Apple purposely renders products vintage or obsolete to force people to buy the latest models. That’s certainly true. Still, as the supply of parts for older devices dwindles, repair options do become more limited, and sooner or later, you’ll have to replace your trusty but defective iPhone or iPad if surgery is no longer an option.
Featured
Why I’m recommending the standard iPhone 16 over the Pro this year (and I’m not alone)
Is OneDrive messing with your files? How to get your Windows storage under control
Best early Prime Day deals under $50 to shop in October 2024
Rust in Linux now: Progress, pitfalls, and why devs and maintainers need each other
- Why I’m recommending the standard iPhone 16 over the Pro this year (and I’m not alone)
- Is OneDrive messing with your files? How to get your Windows storage under control
- Best early Prime Day deals under $50 to shop in October 2024
- Rust in Linux now: Progress, pitfalls, and why devs and maintainers need each other
Also read:
- [New] Enhancing Engagement 30 Outstanding Video Concepts for 2024
- [New] In 2024, Premium Top 5 Ultra HD Capture Gear
- [Updated] Personalizing Your TikTok Presence with 30 Innovative PFP Ideas for 2024
- $102 for a Versatile MacBook Accessory Bundle – Charging, Hubbing, and More! Discover It Here on ZDNET
- Elite Selection of Uninterruptible Power Supplies - Best Picks
- Experiencing Access Problems on Blizzard's Battle.net? How To Tell If It's a Widespread Outage Or Just You?
- How to Correctly Resolve Your DOTA 2 Valve Anti-Cheat Issue (VAC) in 2E22
- How to Mirror Your Oppo F25 Pro 5G Screen to PC with Chromecast | Dr.fone
- In 2024, Fine-Tuning Your Fly Top Tips for Choosing Drone Propellers
- Install Photography Utility Apps for Windows Versions: 11, 10, 8 & 7
- Lunar Library Loan - Galactic Data Rescue Hub
- Mastering Craft: The Ultimate Guide to Using MacOS's Top-Notch Document Creator
- Simplify Your Viewing Experience by Deleting Unwanted Apps From Your Samsung TV
- Step-by-Step Guide: Enabling Phone Functionality on an Android with Connectivity Problems
- Steps to Correct The Missing Libeay32.dll Error Message
- Troubleshooting Tips: Overcoming the Blue Screen of Death Challenge
- Updated Hunt for Emotional Throat-Clearing Audio for 2024
- Title: Understanding Apple's New 'Vintage Mode': Implications for Outdated Devices | ZDNet
- Author: John
- Created at : 2024-11-13 04:39:11
- Updated at : 2024-11-16 04:50:42
- Link: https://techno-recovery.techidaily.com/understanding-apples-new-vintage-mode-implications-for-outdated-devices-zdnet/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.