If you are still using the iPhone 4 or a late 2010 MacBook Air, a report from Japanese website Mac Otakara (via MacRumors) has revealed that come 31st of October, both devices are expected to be added to Apple’s vintage and obsolete products list, although given Mac Otakara’s Japanese origins, this seems to pertain more to Japan’s market.
However we should point out that Apple defines vintage products as having not been manufactured for more than 5 years but less than 7 years ago, and obsolete products as products that have been discontinued for more than 7 years ago, so there is a good chance this list could apply to the US and other markets that Apple operates in. The dates might be a bit different depending on the release, but it should still be the same.
So what does this mean for users of these devices? Basically products listed on the vintage and obsolete list means that save for a few exceptions, neither or these devices are eligible for hardware service. If they are damaged or if you need repairs, you won’t be able to take them into Apple anymore, and you’ll probably have to start looking at third-party repairs, assuming that these shops will even bother with your devices to begin with.
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