New products: Apple prepares to phase out old models
Together with the iPhone 16, the Apple Watch 10 and the new AirPods, there are likely to be various product launches. An overview of the possible directions.
Tim Cook with an old Mac: The Mac mini is apparently getting a new design.
(Image: Screenshot Apple-Keynote / Apple)
Apple's current sales catalog consists of a whole range of mobile devices that have long since passed their zenith. For example, the company still sells iPhone 13 and 14 smartphones, which were released in 2021 and 2022 but are no longer compatible with Apple Intelligence. Observers therefore expect that a whole range of devices from other series could be removed from the range with the upcoming iPhone 16 event –, at least at Apple itself.
Tidying up in several product categories
If the manufacturer follows its usual procedure, at least the Pro and Pro Max models could be dropped from the iPhone 15. These are normally replaced by the current generation. However, the key difference this year is that only these models are ready for Apple Intelligence, while the Standard and Plus variants are not.
It is therefore conceivable that the Pro model will remain in the range this year and the Plus and standard iPhone 15 will be discontinued instead. Apple is currently also continuing to sell the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. Either the Plus or both models could be axed, again due to the lack of Apple Intelligence capability. The same argument applies to the iPhone 13, which is still available – and could also disappear.
Out of the program does not necessarily mean out of the program
New Apple Watch models are expected in three areas – a new Series 10, an Ultra 3 and a SE 3 made of plastic. This means that the predecessors Series 9, Ultra 2 and SE 2 could be dropped from the range –, especially if the SE 3 is placed on the market at a reasonable price. With the AirPods, Apple is reportedly merging AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 into a double AirPods 4 line – one model with noise cancellation (ANC) and one without. Apple could take this as an opportunity to bury AirPods 2 and 3, which date from 2019 and 2021. Finally, there are still current rumors about an iPad mini 7. If it comes, the predecessor from 2021 would probably be dropped from the range.
In the event of an official discontinuation by Apple, however, it is always the case that there are still several months – often even years – of stock available in stores. For example, you can still purchase the iPhone 12 (ab 445 €) from 2020 as a new product, which the manufacturer itself no longer offers. In addition, Apple still supplies its channels in individual markets, particularly in poorer regions of the world, with old devices that are produced specifically for them, for example in Brazil. The same applies to accessories such as the AirPods or the Apple Watch.
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