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In with the new, out with the old.
Apple’s annual iPhone event is around the corner – slated for September 10th – where we’ll see the iPhone 16, new AirPods, some new Apple Watch models, and potentially more. That means, a couple of oldies are being sent to the sidelines to make way for these newbies.
9to5Mac lists some of the Apple products that you probably won’t be able to buy from the Apple Store as soon as next month.
That includes the iPhone 15 Pro & iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 14 Plus, the iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2, and SE 2, AirPods 2 and AirPods 3, and the iPad mini 6 and iPad 10.
If you’re thinking of upgrading or trading in for an upgrade after the next month, Digicape, South Africa’s largest independent Apple retailer, is your best bet.
iPhone 15 Pro & iPhone 15 Pro Max
Since the iPhone XS and XR dropped back in 2018, Apple has been on a roll, discontinuing flagship iPhones just a year after they hit the market. It seems they reckon these models are all just too similar, and if you’re looking to save a few bucks, they’d much rather you opt for one of their entry-level iPhones. It’s safe to say this trend isn’t likely to change anytime soon, so we might be waving goodbye to Apple’s first iPhone made with titanium next month.
This could also be the last time we see the Pro iPhones with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screens, as the iPhone 16 Pros are set to come with bigger displays. And let’s not forget the iPhone 15 Pro’s striking Blue Titanium colour—chances are, it won’t make the cut in the 16 Pro lineup.
iPhone 14 Plus
The iPhone 14 Plus marked Apple’s first entry-level large iPhone, stepping up after the flop of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini. It boasted the same 6.7-inch display and impressive battery life as the Pro Max models but came at a more affordable price. Plus, it revived the “Plus” branding for the first time since the 2017 iPhone 8 Plus.
Last September, Apple discontinued the iPhone 13 mini while keeping the iPhone 13 on the shelves, so it’s pretty likely we’ll see a similar approach this year—possibly with the 14 Plus being shown the door while the iPhone 14 hangs around for a bit longer.
iPhone 13
Apple rolled out the iPhone 13 back in 2021, packed with upgrades like longer battery life, a fresh camera system, and a smaller notch. However, it’s nearing its third birthday and is currently the oldest iPhone you can find on Apple’s website.
If history is anything to go by, the iPhone 13 will soon be making its exit, with the iPhone 14 stepping in to fill that $599 price (R10,600) point—at least until the iPhone SE 4 drops.
Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2, and SE 2
It looks like we might be in for refreshes across all three Apple Watch models next month. The Series 10 is anticipated to feature larger and more efficient displays, a slimmer casing, and possibly a new chipset. The Ultra 3 is set for a minor refresh this year, while the SE 3 is rumoured to be moving to a plastic casing to make it more budget-friendly.
If all the Apple Watches do get updated, it’s likely that Apple will stop selling the current-generation Series 9, Ultra 2, and SE 2 models.
AirPods 2 and AirPods 3
Apple has been selling the AirPods 2 since 2019, positioning them as an entry-level option with all the essential features at a wallet-friendly price. Even after the introduction of AirPods 3 in 2021, which brought Spatial Audio and improved sound quality, Apple kept the AirPods 2 around. But that’s likely about to change.
Next month, we’re expecting two new versions of AirPods 4: a budget-friendly model to take the place of AirPods 2 and a mid-tier version to replace AirPods 3. The mid-tier model is expected to include noise cancellation, which the AirPods 2 lacks. With these new AirPods models rolling out, it’s likely we’ll say goodbye to both AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.
iPad mini 6 and iPad 10
We can expect refreshes for two of Apple’s most affordable iPads next month: the iPad mini 6 and the iPad 10. Even though Apple dropped the price of the iPad 10 earlier this year, there are whispers that a refresh is still on the cards. It’s possible that Apple might keep the iPad 10 around at an even lower price than $349 once they launch the 11, but I’m not holding my breath.
As for the iPad mini, Apple hasn’t kept older models around in recent times, so we’ll likely see it discontinued early next month. The new model is expected to offer support for Apple Intelligence, more storage, and potentially compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro.
If you were in the market for any of these products, it’s probably a good idea to hold out for September. Keep an eye on Digicape, which will be sure to stock all the newbies once they hit stockists.
The retailer also offers a trade-in service, so if you want to swap your old (new) Apple goods in for a brand-spanking newbies, at least you have options to make it affordable and doable.
[source:9to5mac]
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