Apple Reclassifies iPhone X, HomePod, and Original AirPods as 'Vintage'

[MacRumors]

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

The products appeared on Apple's vintage and obsolete products list earlier today. Products are considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than five and less than seven years ago. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers continue to offer repairs for vintage products for up to two more years, subject to parts availability.

The iPhone X, announced on September 12, 2017 and released on November 3, 2017, represented a significant leap forward in Apple's smartphone design and feature-set. 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, utilizing 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 design 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-engineered high-excursion woofer and an array of seven beamforming tweeters. The HomePod was powered by the Apple A8 chip, enabling real-time acoustic modeling, audio beamforming, and multi-channel echo cancellation. Siri came built-in, allowing users to control music playback, manage smart home devices, and access information and services via voice commands.

Apple announced the original AirPods on September 7, 2016 and officially released them on December 13, 2016, with a retail price of $159. The wireless earbuds were groundbreaking due to their seamless integration with 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 removed. Their unusual, compact design, combined with the convenience of a portable charging case, set a new standard for wireless earphones, making them highly popular and influential in the audio accessory market.

Sometime after becoming "vintage," an Apple product will be reclassified as "obsolete." Apple says it considers a product obsolete once seven years have passed since the company last distributed it for sale. When this happens, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers no longer offer repairs or other hardware service for it.

Article Link: Apple Reclassifies iPhone X, HomePod, and Original AirPods as 'Vintage'

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Me casually still having an original HomePod in my living room:

 

[iBreatheApple]

The brand new HomePod might as well be vintage, too, because it’s stuck with dumb Siri who can’t even respond to basic requests.

 

[h.gilbert]

Me casually still having an original HomePod in my living room:

Nice avatar!

 

[rwilliams]

iPhone X is still the most beautiful phone I've ever owned. I would love a return to that design.

 

[Devyn89]

My HomePod is still going strong. Siri still can’t tell my and roommate apart though so personal requests don’t really work. As a speaker though, it’s incredible.

 

[Quasium]

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

The products appeared on Apple's vintage and obsolete products list earlier today. Products are considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than five and less than seven years ago. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers continue to offer repairs for vintage products for up to two more years, subject to parts availability.

The iPhone X, announced on September 12, 2017 and released on November 3, 2017, represented a significant leap forward in Apple's smartphone design and feature-set. 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, utilizing 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 design 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-engineered high-excursion woofer and an array of seven beamforming tweeters. The HomePod was powered by the Apple A8 chip, enabling real-time acoustic modeling, audio beamforming, and multi-channel echo cancellation. Siri came built-in, allowing users to control music playback, manage smart home devices, and access information and services via voice commands.

Apple announced the original AirPods on September 7, 2016 and officially released them on December 13, 2016, with a retail price of $159. The wireless earbuds were groundbreaking due to their seamless integration with 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 removed. Their unusual, compact design, combined with the convenience of a portable charging case, set a new standard for wireless earphones, making them highly popular and influential in the audio accessory market.

Sometime after becoming "vintage," an Apple product will be reclassified as "obsolete." Apple says it considers a product obsolete once seven years have passed since the company last distributed it for sale. When this happens, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers no longer offer repairs or other hardware service for it.

Article Link: Apple Reclassifies iPhone X, HomePod, and Original AirPods as 'Vintage'

It’s been that long since the iPhone X? I remember standing in a line for 2 hours just to get one and as soon as I got it they told me it was the last in stock. Man, I’m old.

 

[thadoggfather]

HomePod V1 better still be supported as an Airplay speaker for Apple TV for some time, since that's my set up with my 2nd gen ATV 4k in a bedroom :O

 

[Janschi]

So, the OG HomePod won't receive any updates anymore I guess.
That's a bummer.

 

[lgpoldwillow]

My HomePod is still going strong. Siri still can’t tell my and roommate apart though so personal requests don’t really work. As a speaker though, it’s incredible.

I pair mine with my TV's Sonos Beam Gen 1 and get excellent sound myself.

 

[mikethebigo]

Will the original HomePod get the audioOS update this fall?

 

[kc9hzn]

So, the OG HomePod won't receive any updates anymore I guess.
That's a bummer.

No, it’s more about hardware repairs, as far as I know. They might maintain software support for an extended period, but vintage/obsolete status is more about in-store repairs and support, IIRC.

 

[armandxp]

So, the OG HomePod won't receive any updates anymore I guess.
That's a bummer.

Yeah, I was hoping to pick up another one so I could stereo pair them in one room. Guess I’ll give up on that idea, and the aftermarket prices are still way too high on the first gen. I would never pay over $200 for a used one and these people on eBay have lost their damn minds. LOL

 

[dozoy]

7 years for a speaker is a rather short life. Not so much for a cell phone but Apple really needs to start thinking about the lifetime of their non-mobile products. I know it's not going to stop working right away, but still

 

[bigboy29]

The OG iPhone X was IMO brilliant and I am still sad that I can't buy that form factor from Apple anymore. I like my phones after but I LOVED the X form factor.

 

[CalMin]

I hate the idea that my speaker would stop working because the software ages out. I don't think Apple will do that, but it's always a risk.

I do wish that Apple would open up the Bluetooth protocol on the HomePod. Airplay works great for the advanced features, but allowing it to operate as 'dumb' Bluetooth speaker would open up a lot more usage scenarios than is currently possible. Especially if they obsolete it out with software in the future.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

The OG iPhone X was IMO brilliant and I am still sad that I can't buy that form factor from Apple anymore. I like my phones after but I LOVED the X form factor.

I wonder how popular the X was? I work in a fairly affluent job and only know one person I know bought it. Everyone had the 8 Plus. I didn't see them out and about very often.

 

[B4rbelith]

Before people start, there’s no reason the OG HomePod will become a paperweight just because it is classed as an obsolete product.
At the very least it will continue to function as an Airplay speaker indefinitely.
I still have two originals, and have never been disappointed with them as products.

 

[LV426]

User: "Hey, Siri, play LBC."
HomePod: "Upgrade me, and we'll talk."

 

[CharlesShaw]

Oh cool. Now I can tell hipsters that I too listen to music on vintage equipment.

 

[iZac]

Spare a thought for the dozens of people with iPod Hifis in their home and their defunct 30pin connectors

 

[aknabi]

The brand new HomePod might as well be vintage, too, because it’s stuck with dumb Siri who can’t even respond to basic requests.

Yeah... yesterday I ask Siri "What's 26 degrees centigrade in Fahrenheit?" it seriously, actually responded "Here's what I found on the web about What's 26 degrees centigrade in Fahrenheit?"... as Phil the Shill would say "Apple Intelligence my Ass"

 

[now i see it]

“Vintage”’and “obsolete” labels are just time stamps with scary names. Everyone knows how old their gear is.
I think we are forced to hear about every dam apl product “vintage” and “obsolete “ designation because it can create fear, dread and anxiety — to encourage a person to buy new gear.

Oh Gawd! My computer is obsolete!

 

[Victor Mortimer]

7 years for a speaker is a rather short life. Not so much for a cell phone but Apple really needs to start thinking about the lifetime of their non-mobile products. I know it's not going to stop working right away, but still

No kidding.

I have speakers still in use that are older than Apple. They work great.

That's one reason I will never own a "smart" speaker.

 

[Premium1]

Me casually still having an original HomePod in my living room:

I have a stereo pair in the bedroom that I use for TV audio. Will ride the "vintage" wave until they die and then look into something else.