Apple now considers this popular Watch and MacBook Pro as 'vintage' products

Apple MacBook Pro

At the start of the new year, Apple has updated its list of vintage and obsolete products. Two popular products are now considered ‘vintage’ by Apple. Apple has added the Watch Series 4 and the 15-inch MacBook Pro (2019) to the list of vintage products.

The Watch Series 4 was released in 2018 and was the first big redesign of Apple’s smartwatch since its launch in 2015. It had a bigger display, more rounded corners and thinner bezels as well. Both the aluminum and stainless steel variants of the 40mm and 44mm Apple Watch Series 4 are now vintage.

The 15-inch MacBook Pro launched in 2019 was the last MacBook Pro with that screen size. Later that year, Apple introduced the 16-inch MacBook Pro — a size that continues till date.

What are vintage Apple products?

Apple differentiates vintage and obsolete products based on a few factors. According to Apple, vintage products do not get any regular software updates.

On its support page, Apple explains, “Products are considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 5 and less than 7 years ago.” This doesn’t mean that the device will stop working but it’s just that the shelf life is further reduced when a user doesn’t get regular updates.

Apple also classifies certain products as obsolete.

According to Apple, “Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago.” So, no updates and no repairs at all for obsolete products. Even if you go to third-party repair providers, they won’t be able to order parts for them from Apple.

When Apple adds a product to the vintage and obsolete list, it doesn’t mean it’ll stop working or that you can’t use it. Apple just won’t be providing software updates or fixing or repairing it.