- Apple has listed the 32GB Apple TV HD and iPad Mini 4 as ‘obsolete’, and the 2017 MacBook Air is ‘vintage’
- Many users are confused as the Apple TV HD is still receiving tvOS 26 updates.
- It could mean a new Apple TV 4K is coming this year
Apple has added three more devices to its “obsolete” and “old” product lists, and it’s caused a bit of confusion as all three are still widely used, 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 released in 2015, obsolete. It also added the 2017 13-inch MacBook Air to its list of older devices.
What does this mean for users who still use these devices? For the Apple TV HD 32GB and iPad Mini 4, it means they are no longer eligible for Apple repair services, so you’ll have to rely on third-party providers. Additionally, Apple will no longer supply spare parts for both devices. The 64GB Apple TV HD remains fully supported.
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Because the 2017 MacBook Air is now old and not obsolete, it is still eligible for Apple repair services, however, this is subject to whether parts are available.
From time to time, Apple adds a handful of products to its outdated and old lists as it releases new devices in its iPhone, iPad, Mac and other categories, subject to specific criteria.
“Products are considered old when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 5 and less than 7 years ago,” the company states on its support page. “The products were considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago.”
Are you still using your 32GB Apple TV HD as if you bought it yesterday? You are not the only one and many users cannot understand why Apple has made this decision.
“This is honestly quite strange”
Apple’s inclusion of the 32GB Apple TV HD has generated a lot of confusion and frustration among users, especially since the now-obsolete 32GB device runs tvOS 26, which was released just six months ago in September. Some of those users have taken to Reddit in protest, with one posting: “Honestly, this is pretty weird.”
Although the Apple TV HD 32GB 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.
That suggests the next Apple TV 4K model could launch sometime this year, as it didn’t appear after rumors suggested it would come out 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 made any comments as to why this is, so we’re as perplexed as everyone else. It could be that Apple is waiting until the announcement of the next Apple TV 4K to move the 64GB Apple TV HD to its outdated roster; We will have to wait and see what is announced on June 8.
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