Apple Inc. (AAPL) has bid farewell to several of its products, including the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 13, as part of its annual product streamlining process. This practice is a routine occurrence, making room for the latest and greatest offerings from the tech giant.
While the discontinued models are no longer in production, they remain available at online retailers and third-party stores for a limited time. This year, Apple also discontinued the iPhone 13, the oldest iPhone still in production, as reported by AppleInsider.
The current iPhone lineup now boasts the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, the highly anticipated iPhone 16 series, and the third-generation iPhone SE from 2022.
Apple’s product refresh extends beyond smartphones. The AirPods Max, which have been replaced by almost identical models with new color options and a USB-C port, have also been discontinued. Similarly, the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 have been replaced by two new models of AirPods 4. The introduction of the Apple Watch Series 10 led to the discontinuation of the Apple Watch Series 9.
Interestingly, Apple has also discontinued its FineWoven iPhone cases due to negative customer feedback.
The discontinuation of these models comes amidst mixed reports about the demand for the new iPhone 16. T-Mobile US Inc. CEO Mike Sievert has reported strong sales for the iPhone 16, exceeding last year’s model. However, analysts have predicted weak demand due to the lack of compelling reasons for existing iPhone owners to upgrade.
JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee observed that lead times for the iPhone 16 series in key markets like the U.S., China, Germany, and the U.K. indicate demand that aligns with the iPhone 15 series during its first week.
The iPhone 16 series launch also met with some disappointment among Chinese buyers due to the lack of AI features.
Despite these mixed signals, Apple’s decision to discontinue older models is a testament to its focus on innovation and keeping its product portfolio fresh. The company continues to push the boundaries of technology, and these product updates are a reflection of its dedication to delivering the latest and greatest to its customers.
