Apple news reveals 25 discontinued devices for 2025 shift, here’s the complete list of what’s getting cut

Apple news headline: As 2025 winds down, the tech giant has quietly cleared out 25 devices and accessories throughout the year. From discontinued iPhone models to aging Mac and Apple Watch lineups, this represents Apple’s most comprehensive product refresh cycle in recent memory. If you’re using older Apple hardware, here’s what’s getting cut and what it means for you.

The iPhone Purge: Five Models Exit in Single Year

Apple discontinued five iPhone models throughout 2025, the most aggressive culling in years. When the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air launched in September, the company officially retired the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max to clear shelf space and inventory. Additionally, older models from previous generations received discontinuation orders.

Perhaps most significantly, Apple killed the entire iPhone Plus lineup, making the iPhone 16 Plus the last large-screened non-Pro phone the company will manufacture. The company’s strategy now focuses exclusively on standard iPhones and Pro models, eliminating the middle ground that some users preferred for its larger display at a lower price point.

iPad Air M3 Refresh Discontinues 17 Older Models

Product Category	Model Status
iPad Models	iPad 10 (2022), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd gen) discontinued
Mac Lineup	M2 Mac mini, M3 iMac, MacBook Air M3 discontinued
Apple Watch Items	Apple Watch Ultra 2, Series eliminated for newer versions
Year Discontinued	Throughout 2025, officially obsolete December 1

The broader discontinuation wave reflects Apple’s aggressive 2025 refresh strategy. The iPad Air M3 launched in March, making its predecessors obsolete. Similarly, the company removed various Mac configurations when new M-series chips arrived, particularly the transition from M2 to M3 and M4 architectures. Apple Watch Series 4 Hermes models and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 made way for newer generations released throughout the year.

“With the end of 2025 near, the time has come to look back at the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year.”

— MacRumors, December 24, 2025

Why Apple Wins by Discontinuing Old Hardware

Apple’s discontinuation strategy serves multiple purposes beyond simply clearing inventory. By officially ending support for older devices, the company encourages users to upgrade to newer hardware with current features like improved A-series chips, better battery efficiency, and latest software compatibility. This maintains Apple’s ecosystem tighter and prevents fragmentation across too many supported device generations.

The iPhone 13 remains available as Apple’s budget option, providing a transition point between discontinued Pro models and entry-level devices. This tiered approach ensures customers have clear purchasing guidelines while pushing older inventory toward refurbished channels and trade-in programs where resale value remains strong. Apple gets to control when support officially ends, which impacts customer service costs significantly.

What This Means for Owners of Discontinued Devices

Discontinuation doesn’t mean your device stops working immediately. Apple continues providing software updates and security patches for years after official discontinuation, typically supporting devices for 5-7 years from release. However, discontinued status means Apple removes the product from retail, stops manufacturing new units, and eventually phases out support cycles.

If you own an iPhone 16 Pro, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation), or early iPhone SE models, your device remains fully functional and supported. What changes is unavailability for new purchases through Apple directly. Refurbished and used markets continue thriving for discontinued models, often at lower price points than current-generation devices. The real impact hits after several more years pass, when Apple stops rolling out major iOS and iPadOS updates.

Will 2026 Bring Even More Discontinuations?

Based on historical patterns, Apple will likely discontinue additional products throughout 2026 as new models launch. The iPhone 18 generation arrives in September 2026, which traditionally signals the end of the previous-generation Pro models. Additionally, expected iPad Pro refreshes and new Mac configurations with future chip generations will render current models obsolete automatically.

The bigger question for consumers involves which current devices will disappear next. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus seem likely candidates, as does the M3 MacBook Air when M4 versions arrive. Apple has also signaled commitment to refreshing Apple Watch lines annually, suggesting every current watch model faces potential discontinuation over the next 12 months. Staying aware of this cycle helps users decide whether to upgrade now or hold current hardware longer.

Sources

• MacRumors – Comprehensive list of all 25 Apple products discontinued in 2025
• India Today Technology – Verified inventory of discontinued iPhone, Mac, and iPad models
• 9to5Mac – Official Apple obsolete product list updates and December announcements