Ahead of iPhone 17 launch, Apple puts iPhone XS on the vintage list and makes iPad 5 obsolete
Another iPhone generation has officially entered Apple's digital retirement home. The iPhone XS, once hailed as Apple's flagship device, has now been added to the company's vintage list, signalling that time moves quickly, even for iconic gadgets. Under Apple's classification system, a product is labelled "vintage" once five years have passed since the company stopped selling it through official channels.While repairs may still be possible at Apple Stores and through Apple Authorised Service Providers, service depends entirely on whether replacement parts remain available.advertisementThe iPhone XS originally hit the shelves in September 2018 and was discontinued the following year when the iPhone 11 arrived. However, the device continued to linger in circulation through various resellers, delaying its official move to vintage status until recently. Now, having finally reached the five-year milestone, it has earned its place on Apple's vintage list.
Looking ahead, the iPhone XS faces full obsolescence in just two years' time. Once that happens, Apple will cease providing service entirely, and official repairs will no longer be offered — even if parts happen to be available.Interestingly, the iPhone XS Max, its larger sibling with the spacious 6.5-inch display, was moved to the vintage list earlier, back in November 2024. Both devices, at the time of their release, were seen as modest upgrades over the groundbreaking iPhone X, offering users a speedier A12 Bionic chip, improved cameras, and the added flexibility of dual SIM support. While the XS Max capitalised on its larger screen size, both models were evolutionary rather than revolutionary for Apple.advertisementApple's vintage list wasn't only updated with iPhones this time. The company also shifted the fifth-generation iPad, known as the iPad 5, from vintage to obsolete status. This change means that Apple has now fully ended all hardware services for the 2017 tablet, regardless of part availability.Adding to the round of updates, Apple made a subtle change to the support status of certain Mac devices. The 2018 Mac mini, which had already been listed as vintage a few months ago, now comes with a small caveat. According to fine print recently added to Apple's support page, owners of this particular Mac model are advised to check with an Apple Authorised Service Provider for confirmation of service eligibility. The early vintage classification of the 2018 Mac mini has left some observers puzzled, as many expected the device to enjoy a slightly longer service window.For Apple users, these updates serve as a regular reminder of the company's strict product lifecycle, one that steadily nudges ageing devices towards obsolescence. While many iPhone XS owners may still be happily using their devices, the clock is ticking, and future repair options are becoming increasingly limited.
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