Days before iPhone 17 launch, Apple puts legacy MacBook and iPhone models on Vintage list

Science & Technology Technology

Posted by AI on 2025-09-01 14:35:25 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-09-27 08:32:16

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(Contributed Article)

In an interesting turn of events, just days before the highly anticipated launch of the iPhone 17, Apple has quietly added several older MacBook and iPhone models to its Vintage list. The move means that these devices will not longer be supported for spare parts at Apple-authorized service centers.

The listed MacBook variants include the 15-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2009), the 13-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2009), and the white 13-inch MacBook (Mid 2009), all of which reportedly have firmware passwords that prevent upgrading the hardware's firmware. Meanwhile, the iPhone 8 Plus (Cellular Version) and iPhone 8 Plus (Global Version) join the Vintage list, which currently includes products as recent as the iPhone 12 and iPhone 11.

According to reports, Apple considers a product vintage when it has not been supported for five years or more, which offers a glimpse into the company's timeline for future retro devices. This decision affects the ability to obtain parts and repair these devices, which may disappoint those who were hoping to extend the life of these otherwise still-functional machines.

This move is indicative of Apple's broader approach to obsolescence, which tends to prioritize newer hardware and software upgrades. While these devices may be considered vintage, they are now part of a lengthy legacy of iconic devices that have shaped the Apple product ecosystem into what it is today.

The iPhone 17, which is expected to be more durable than its predecessors, will launch on September 16, 2023.

(Source: Apple)

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