Apple to Designate Several iPod Models as Obsolete Later This Month

Apple will designate several iPod models as obsolete later this month. The designation means hardware service repairs will no longer be available worldwide.

As reported by MacRumors, several iPod models will be designated obsolete, including several iPod models, including the last iPod nano, select models of the last iPod shuffle, and models of the fifth-generation iPod touch.

In a memo sent to authorized service providers obtained by MacRumors, Apple says that the late 2012 model of the iPod shuffle, alongside the seventh-generation iPod nano and the fifth-generation model iPod touch, will be marked as obsolete on September 30. The 16GB variant of the fifth-generation iPod touch is already marked as obsolete, with Apple looking to add the 32GB and 64GB options to the list later this month.

What’s Vintage, and What’s Obsolete?

Apple’s website explains the difference:

Vintage products are those that have not been manufactured for more than 5 and less than 7 years ago. Apple has discontinued hardware service for vintage products with the following exceptions:

• Mac products purchased in the country of Turkey. Owners of vintage Mac products may obtain service and parts from Apple service providers within the country of Turkey.
• Products purchased in the state of California, United States, as required by statute
  • Owners of vintage Mac products may obtain service and parts from Apple service providers within the state of California, United States.
  • Owners of vintage iPod products in the state of California may obtain service from Apple Retail Stores or by contacting AppleCare at 1-800-APL-CARE.
  • Owners of vintage iPhone products in the state of California may obtain service from Apple Retail Stores or by contacting AppleCare at 1-800-APL-CARE.

For products purchased in France, see Statutory Warranties of Seller and Spare Parts.

Obsolete products are those that were discontinued more than 7 years ago. Monster-branded Beats products are considered obsolete regardless of when they were purchased.  Apple has discontinued all hardware service for obsolete products with no exceptions. Service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products. All Apple Retail Stores and the Canadian, European, Latin American, and Asia-Pacific operating regions follow the U.S. product list, but make no distinction between vintage and obsolete. When applied to Apple Retail Stores and these operating regions, products on the U.S. vintage list (all models) are considered obsolete.