Apple Says iPhone XS is Now Vintage

Friday June 13, 2025 6:55 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today added the iPhone XS to the vintage products list on its website.

iPhone XS Max Black Background
Apple considers a device to be "vintage" once five years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers may still offer repairs for vintage devices, subject to parts availability.

Apple released the iPhone XS in September 2018, and it was discontinued a year later. However, the device remained available through select resellers for longer, so it has only recently reached the five-year mark for vintage status.

In two more years from now, the iPhone XS will be classified as fully obsolete, at which point Apple will no longer service the device.

Apple already classified the larger iPhone XS Max as vintage in November 2024.

Overall, the iPhone XS was a relatively minor upgrade over the iPhone X. The device's key new features included a faster A12 Bionic chip, improved cameras, and dual SIM support, while the iPhone XS Max offered a larger 6.5-inch display.

Apple also moved the iPad 5 from the vintage list to the obsolete list today.

Last, Apple added fine print to the page that says 2018 Mac mini owners should check with an Apple Authorized Service Provider to determine the service status of that computer, which was added to the vintage list a few months ago. It seemed a bit early for this model to be considered vintage, but the situation is not clear to us.

Tag: Vintage and Obsolete Apple Products

Popular Stories

Apple Says These Products Are Now Obsolete

Wednesday October 14, 2026 6:28 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today added the 12-inch MacBook (2017), iPad (6th generation), and BeatsX headphones to the obsolete products list on its website. Apple considers a product to be obsolete once seven years have passed since it last distributed the product for sale, including to resellers. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers are instructed to discontinue hardware service for obsolete ...

• 36 comments

Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28

Sunday November 8, 2026 7:42 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple has made a change to its development process for iOS 28, macOS 28, and corresponding software updates, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, he said Apple separates development of each year's new operating systems into three major stages. Typically, he said each stage consists of four weeks of coding followed by a four-week "convergence" period where...

• 138 comments

More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try

Friday November 6, 2026 3:27 pm PST by Juli Clover

When the iPhone Duo launched, we shared a list of some of the fun apps developers created for the new form factor. Two weeks out, developers are continuing to come up with fresh ideas, so we thought we'd share some of our favorites. Games Marbles Unhinged ($2.99) - Marbles Unhinged is a marble maze designed for the Duo. When you fold it, the floor turns into a ramp. If you stand the top...

• 67 comments

Top Rated Comments

jimmirehman

18 months ago

In Gold, Hands down the sexiest iPhone ever designed

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Richdmoore

18 months ago

I wonder if anyone is still carrying AppleCare+ on an iPhone XS and how does that work if they have an issue with the phone but no parts to repair? Do they upgrade them to a new model?

I will give you my experience with my 10.5” iPad. It was under monthly AppleCare. When my daughter broke the screen, I took it into an Apple Store, and their system said something that they had never seen before. It showed as under applecare, but vintage and unable to be replaced.

They had me call Apple on the phone while I was in the physical Apple store.

Apple’s senior advisor decided to replace it with an iPad Pro 11” m4 model (the latest.). They also cancelled the monthly AppleCare+. They said once I received the new iPad I could sign up for AppleCare on the replacement unit.

I was beyond surprised, it had to get mailed to me but I received it a week later and I sent the 10.5” model back. Sure enough, I signed up for AppleCare+ on the new model.

I was very surprised, I thought they would replace it with whatever iPad they had, as pretty much any model would have been an upgrade, not a top of the line current iPad Pro.

Apple didn't even charge me the damage fee either, which I expected to pay.

The only downside is that my daughter might have gotten the message that you can break an iPad and get it replaced with a new one, not the lesson I want to teach her with expensive electronics. (I did make sure she went for some time without the iPad before giving the new one to her…..)

I have a 2017 iMac still under applecare, I will admit the thought did cross my mind of dropping a bowling ball on the screen and seeing it they would give me an Apple silicon Mac to replace it, but I'm to honest to intentionally break it. Besides, they probably have the parts in stock

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jicon

18 months ago

My wife uses hers. I bought her that phone on release date. No battery replacement yet. No complaints. If it continues that way, maybe I'll get her a new 17Pro in October. If she does... well, maybe she buys her own.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

MRSugarD

18 months ago

The Xs was a great phone. And it was also my first dive into the Apple world:)

I never looked back since...

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

nfl46

18 months ago

lol. The way they hid it with the wallpaper is still funny to me.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Scipster

18 months ago

Long live my favorite iPhone. You certainly were the best.