While we're hoping to see the iPhone 17 at the Apple Awe Dropping event on September 9, it's worth keeping in mind how some users are happy and comfortable using iPhones that are almost a decade old. But keeping some of these devices going could be about to get harder.
The iPhone 8 Plus, specifically the 64GB and 256GB storage versions, have been added to Apple's vintage and obsolete device list (spotted by MacRumors). These join the Product RED edition that was already on the list, but the mid-capacity 128GB version has yet to be added.
The regular iPhone 8, as well as the iPhone X, which also launched in 2017, are already classed as vintage by Apple.
Alongside these iPhone 8 Plus models, the 2015 11-inch MacBook Air, plus the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models from 2017, were also added to Apple's list.
What does "vintage" mean here?
In Apple terms, a "vintage" device is one that the company stopped selling five years ago. A device then becomes "obsolete" after seven years.
There is no immediate consequence for an Apple gadget becoming vintage. But it’s an early warning sign for repairability problems going forward, since obsolete products receive no support from the Apple Store or Apple-approved repairers. The only exception is a Mac laptop battery replacement, which can happen up to 10 years after sales ended, depending on the model.
If you've been hanging on to your iPhone 8 Plus since it still handles all your smartphone needs, perhaps this is a sign you need to upgrade. It doesn't have to be the iPhone 17 we expect to see launch in about a week's time, but if you're interested in longevity, the best iPhone will usually be the newest one, since it'll be the furthest away from the end of its update cycle, and end up on Apple's vintage product list.
The iPhone 17 series will consist of the base model, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Air, according to the rumors. You can read about what's been tipped for these phones at the linked rumor hubs, or check out our Apple event live blog that will go through all the last-minute leaks as we count down to the event.
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