Now that the iPhone 17 launch event is official, all eyes are on the fruit-themed tech company and what it has planned for the iPhone lineup. While the addition of four new iPhone 17 models is a given, we also need to consider what Apple is going to stop selling in the aftermath of the event.
After all, it can't keep pumping out old iPhones forever. That's just bad business, and this means we should expect to see some older models go the way of the Apple Newton within two weeks. But which devices are on the chopping block?
Thankfully, Apple is a creature of habit, and we can make a pretty confident guess that at least four iPhones are on their way out — and maybe two Apple Watches.
Say goodbye to the iPhone 16 Pro
The first thing to remember about Apple is that it never has more than one set of Pro phones in production at any given time. This means that the launch of the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max will mean the end of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Or at least it will at the Apple Store. Typically, the minute new Pro iPhones are available to pre-order, the previous year's models disappear from sale on the Apple Store website. However, this doesn't mean they'll be impossible to buy.
Other retailers and carriers will still carry stock for as long as they have it. Though since Apple will have ended production of new handsets, they will eventually run out. It's impossible to say how long they might last, and it'll all depend on how popular the iPhone 17 Pro series ends up being.
All we know right now is that brand-new iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, which were discontinued just over a year ago, have all but vanished — only leaving used models behind. We should expect some noticeable discounts on remaining devices later on in the year, especially around Black Friday.
iPhone 15 is also going the same way
While Pro models get discontinued after a year, non-Pro iPhones stick around for a little while longer — with a small discount.
This means that both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus should still be on sale alongside the iPhone 17, with around $100 off the usual price tag. However, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus won't be so lucky and will almost certainly be pulled from the Apple Store as soon as the iPhone 17 event is over.
Like the iPhone 16 Pro, this doesn't necessarily mean the devices will be impossible to buy after September 9. Just that you'll have to go to someone other than Apple, and stock will eventually run out. But again, it's impossible to say when that might be.
Retailers will presumably want to get rid of the excess stock in favor of the newer (and potentially more popular) models. So we should expect some heavy price cuts as the Black Friday season gets underway. Assuming, of course, that the phones aren't more or less out of stock by then.
What about Apple Watch?
iPhones won't be the only things Apple announces on September 9, and we're also likely to see an Apple Watch Series 11 as well. Since Apple only sells one mainline Apple Watch at a time, this likely means the Apple Watch 10 will also be getting the boot.
The same is likely true for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, assuming rumors of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 do come to fruition in two weeks. It's unclear what will happen to the ageing Apple Watch SE, but without any kind of replacement, we have a hard time seeing Apple discontinuing it just yet.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
More from Tom's Guide
- I’ve Tested Every iPhone — Here’s Why I’m Really Excited for the iPhone 17 Air
- iOS 26 Is Almost Here — Apple Drops What We Expect To Be the Final Beta Before Launch
- How to Watch Apple's iPhone 17 Event — 'Awe Dropping'
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
