Apple adds iPhone XS to vintage device list
Around this time last year, Apple began classifying the iconic iPhone X handset as a ‘vintage’ device, and with that in mind, it’s only proper that Apple begins classifying the next-in-line iPhone XS handset as a vintage device one year later.
The change was first spotted by our friends over at MacRumors, and we can tell you from experience that nothing makes you feel like you’re getting old quite like seeing an iPhone you felt like you just owned yesterday become classified as a ‘vintage’ device…
Apple classifies a device as vintage when the company stops distributing and offering them for sale both more than 5 and less than 7 years ago. In this stage, Apple sends both users and authorized repair shops a strong message that the availability of replacement parts is set to wind down in the coming years, so it’s a good time to get any last-minute part replacements done.
Once a device reaches the point where Apple stopped distributing and offering the product for sale more than 7 years ago, the device’s status changes from vintage to ‘obsolete,’ after which Apple will stop providing first-party repair parts and services for it, which largely leaves users of these devices to fend for themselves in the aftermarket parts market.
Despite how the iPhone XS launched on September 21st, 2018, Apple is only just now adding the iPhone XS to the vintage list because it continued to offer the iPhone XS through third-party resellers despite discontinuing the device on its own website. So, it will still be another couple of years before the iPhone XS becomes totally obsolete and the parts market dries up for it.
While the iPhone XS looked and felt a lot like its predecessor, the iPhone X, it was actually a semi-substantial upgrade. It featured upgrades like a faster A12 Bionic chip, more RAM, an improved camera sensor, better IP68 weather resistance, Face ID and battery improvements, and more. It was also the first time that Apple offered a plus-sized ‘Max’ version of the all-screen device.
Notably, the iPhone XS Max, the larger of the two XS devices, reached vintage status last year. Today’s news only applies to the smaller model.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/06/13/apple-adds-iphone-xs-to-vintage-device-list/
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