- Apple Lists 32GB Apple TV HD and iPad Mini 4 ‘Obsolete’ and 2017 MacBook Air as ‘Vintage’
- Many users are confused as Apple TV HD is still getting tvOS 26 updates
- This could mean that there will be a new Apple TV 4K this year
Apple has added three more devices to its lists of ‘obsolete’ and ‘vintage’ products, causing a bit of confusion as all three are still in widespread use – and one in particular, the 32GB Apple TV HD, is still very popular.
The tech giant updated its support page yesterday (March 31), declaring the 32GB Apple TV HD and iPad Mini 4, both launched in 2015, obsolete. It also added the 2017 13-inch MacBook Air to its list of vintage devices.
What does this mean for users still using these devices? For the 32GB Apple TV HD and iPad Mini 4, this means that they are no longer eligible for repair services at Apple, so you will have to rely on third-party providers. In addition, Apple will no longer supply spare parts for the two devices. 64GB Apple TV HD remains fully supported.
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Because the 2017 MacBook Air is now vintage rather than obsolete, it is still eligible for Apple’s repair services, but this depends on the availability of replacement parts.
Every now and then, Apple adds a handful of products to its obsolete and vintage lists when it launches new devices across its iPhone, iPad, Mac and other categories, subject to specific criteria.
“Products are considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 5 and less than 7 years ago,” the company writes on its support page. “Products are considered obsolete as Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago”.
Still using your 32GB Apple TV HD like you just bought it yesterday? You are not the only one and many users cannot understand why Apple has made this decision.
“This is honestly pretty weird”
Apple’s listing of the 32GB Apple TV HD has sparked a lot of confusion and frustration among users, especially since the now-outdated 32GB device runs tvOS 26, which launched just six months ago in September. Some of those users have taken to Reddit in protest, posting “This is honestly pretty weird.”
Although the 32GB Apple TV HD is still receiving tvOS 26 updates, the fact that it has been declared obsolete leads us to believe that it will not be included in the list of devices that will be eligible for tvOS 27, which is expected to be announced at WWDC 2026 on June 8 alongside iOS 27.
It suggests that the next Apple TV 4K model could drop some time this year, as it failed to appear after rumors suggested it would drop in late 2025.
Reddit users are also wondering why only the 32GB Apple TV HD is affected and not the 64GB version. Apple hasn’t commented on why this is the case, so we’re just as confused as everyone else. It could be that Apple is waiting for the announcement of the next Apple TV 4K to move the 64GB Apple TV HD to its obsolete list – we will have to wait and see what is announced on June 8.
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