These Apple products are now considered ‘vintage’ – and surprisingly, they’re less than a decade old

As a rule of thumb, “vintage” usually means something that’s 20 years old or older, but in the fast-paced technology industry, the life cycle of a device — or, for that matter, a vintage machine — is much shorter.

Apple, for example, reportedly just added newer technologies to its list of products considered “vintage” — devices the company stopped selling more than five years ago but less than seven years ago.

According to MacRumors, Apple’s list of classic products has expanded to include the first-generation HomePod, iPhone X, and first-generation AirPods, all of which were launched less than a decade ago.

As Tom’s Guide reports, the iPhone X was a breakthrough for Apple.

The 2017 launch not only marked the 10th iteration of the smartphone, but also marked the first device to lack a Home button, something that feels archaic in the age of Face ID and futuristic on-screen navigation, eliminating the need for a circular button and Touch ID at the bottom of the device.

Apple’s first-generation HomePod, priced at $349, was released shortly afterward in early 2018. The device, according to Tom’s Guide, integrated Siri, Apple Music, and AirPlay and delivered high-quality audio — but it lacked the ability to control tasks around the home, unlike Google and Amazon’s smart device models at the time.

However, later HomePods evolved to include smart home features, giving rise to the first-generation devices.

Apple’s first-ever AirPods, which cost $159 when they launched in 2016, were a breakthrough in wireless headphone technology, according to Mac Rumors.

The Bluetooth headphones with portable charging case are equipped with sensors that detect when the headphones are in your ears and automatically pause audio playback when they are removed.

Now, AirPods are in their third generation, with Apple offering AirPod Pro and Max versions.

Once they gain “vintage” status, devices that have not been used for more than seven years are marked as “obsolete,” meaning they are no longer eligible for service or repair due to a lack of spare parts.

Now, the iPhone 16 is on the horizon, with Apple planning to release another device following the recent announcement of iOS 18.