5 Products Discontinued by Apple in 2021

[MacRumors]

Apple announced several new products this year, ranging from the colorful 24-inch iMac to four iPhone 13 models, but we also said goodbye to some other products. Below, we've recapped five products and accessories discontinued by Apple in 2021.

HomePod

In March 2021, Apple announced that it was discontinuing the full-sized HomePod in order to focus its efforts on the HomePod mini. At the time, Apple said it would continue to provide software updates, service, and support for the larger HomePod.

When the HomePod launched in February 2018, reviews praised the speaker for its sound quality, but its original $349 price was significantly more expensive than competing smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Google Home. Even after Apple lowered the HomePod's price to $299, sales of the speaker reportedly remained lackluster.

iMac Pro

The full-sized HomePod wasn't the only Apple product discontinued in March 2021, as the iMac Pro was also axed in the same month. At the time, Apple said the 27-inch iMac was the preferred choice for the vast majority of pro iMac users, and added that customers who needed even more performance and expandability could choose the Mac Pro.

Released in December 2017, the iMac Pro received no substantial hardware refreshes over its lifetime, resulting in the 27-inch iMac eventually becoming faster and more affordable than the standard ‌iMac‌ Pro with a 10-core Xeon W processor.

While the iMac Pro has been discontinued, Apple is expected to release a high-end 27-inch iMac with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips next year.

Space Gray Magic Accessories

A few months after the iMac Pro was discontinued, Apple stopped selling Space Gray versions of the Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse 2 for the Mac on a standalone basis. Apple continues to sell the accessories in silver.

21.5-Inch iMac

In October 2021, Apple discontinued its final 21.5-inch iMac model, which had remained available as a low-end configuration suitable for educational institutions. The discontinuation came as no surprise, as Apple had introduced an ultra-thin and colorful 24-inch iMac powered by its custom-designed M1 chip six months prior.

Apple only has three Intel-based Macs remaining in its lineup, including the 27-inch iMac, the high-end Mac mini, and the Mac Pro tower.

iPhone XR

After launching the iPhone 13 series in September 2021, Apple discontinued the iPhone XR. The lineup now consists of four iPhone 13 models, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, the iPhone 11, and the second-generation iPhone SE.

Introduced in September 2018, the iPhone XR features a 6.1-inch LCD display with Face ID, an A12 Bionic chip, and a single rear camera.

Other products discontinued by Apple this year after being refreshed include the iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 6, fifth-generation iPad mini, eighth-generation iPad, and the first-generation Apple TV 4K. Apple also stopped selling the original Powerbeats, Beats Solo Pro, and Beats EP headphones.

Article Link: 5 Products Discontinued by Apple in 2021

 

[Andain]

Beats Solo Pro ?

(Yeah, they are too tight for long plays but still love mine)

 

[JosephAW]

Up next:
Apple Watch Series 3
AirPods Max
AirPods Gen II

 

[Benjamin Nabulsi]

I just love my stereo HomePod. what a mistake they've done discontinue it.

 

[GMShadow]

I wish the space gray accessories were still around.

 

[Ateam043]

Beats Solo Pro ?

(Yeah, they are too tight for long plays but still love mine)

I still remember the OG Beats. They were a tank but did it also weigh like one!

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Ouch! What happened to AirPower?

I thought Apple was working on it and they didn’t give up.

 

[michaelant]

I have a pair of HomePods, which sound awesome. Unfortunately, I've had way more glitches with them this year, after automatic software updates - I assume this is what is happening. Maybe it's only a coincidence that it's this year when I have all the problems, after they were discontinued...

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple seriously dropped the ball by dropping the Space Gray Magic Accessories. Who's idea was that at Apple? What were they were thinking?

 

[hrMACnstuff]

i'll enjoy my original homepod till it dies. Not happy Apple discontinued it like two months after I bought it but such is life. Because of that though I'll not take a chance on other semi-luxury items like the Airpods Max nor the upcoming AR VR Glasses (whenever that actually happens) right out of the gate. No more one and dones.

 

[loby]

I wish the space gray accessories were still around.

Ran out an bought them once I heard they were discontinued. I planned on eventually getting them, but it quickened my purchased.

Glad I did…works great with Mac Pro 2013. The keyboard feel is the best Apple keyboard in my opinion. Have the other two smaller versions (silver). Has keys that work well with Final Cut too.

 

[xsnaruto]

Well, I have to say the full size HomePod’s price currently is, pretty interesting.

Almost one year ago, I was sell one of my HomePod because my apartment is too small, there is no need to use two. The second-hand price at that moment was nearly 150USD.

Now it backs up to 300USD. So, I planned to sell the rest one and buy two HomePod mini, until the HomePod2 or HomePod Plus? release. ?‍?️

 

[syklee26]

In some markets Homepods are going at a premium. Apple should not have discontinued it. They were just too impatient with it. All they had to do was to allow third party apps access Homepods and it would’ve sold well considering the outstanding sound quality it has.

 

[macintoshmac]

Discontinuing HomePod was a mistake. Pricing it the way they did was another.

 

[seanmills1020]

SPINOFF PRODUCTS THAT APPLE WILL RELEASE IN 2022:

Mac Mini-Me (smaller footprint)
iPod Touché (Siri offers snappy comebacks)
Magic Mike Keyboard (programmable “strip” of keys)

 

[ghanwani]

What's the rumor on the next product to get discontinued?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

What's the rumor on the next product to get discontinued?

iPhone 😂

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[Analog Kid]

Is this the MR equivalent of those “the people we’ve lost“ stories?

 

[ActionableMango]

I just love my stereo HomePod. what a mistake they've done discontinue it.

I honestly think they would have doubled sales if they had just added any kind of industry standard connection method. Literally just any one. Optical. HDMI. RCA. Bluetooth. 1/8" stereo plug.

 

[sw1tcher]

I honestly think they would have doubled sales if they had just....

lowered the price. By a lot.

A $349 launch price was too high for most people when a smart speaker from Google or Amazon was much less. It was still too high when the price dropped to $299 a year later. $199 was what the launch price should have been as many more people started buying them at that price. And when it hit $149 in fall of 2019 at Costco, it sold even better.

 

[gene731]

I just love my stereo HomePod. what a mistake they've done discontinue it.

I hunk the same thing as well. The HomePod Mini doesn’t (I have a stereo pair of both) for a little stand in our bedroom, and although fairly nice in sound, does not even come close to the HomePod. Now I know this is a rumor site but I kept seeing a lot of stories that Apple was trying to make it out as a hi-red speaker but the marketing team would make it out to be a smart speaker. If true, probably a lot of confused clients.

 

[Populus]

Beats Solo Pro ?

(Yeah, they are too tight for long plays but still love mine)

Same, I can’t believe they forgot to mention them.

I enjoy my Solo Pro, yeah they’re pretty tight, -I’ve just ended watching the Matrix trilogy and my ears are a bit sore- but they isolate me pretty well and the sound quality is good. And they pair seamlessly with my Apple devices, and don’t cost $500 but just $200, so yeah, great product as far as I can tell.

 

[poematik13]

Love the imac pro. Such a beast

 

[Squuiid]

Still incredibly upset about the demise of HomePod; despite the truly appalling state of its software currently.

 

[bergert]

Discontinuing HomePod was a mistake. Pricing it the way they did was another.

My old SONY STR-DA90 Surround amp cost $1500, a Denon replacement (with AirPlay) over $1000. Add $300 for a pair JBL speakers.

In comparison, two HomePod's ($700) are down right cheap, and the sound is better. Especially the bass is great. Heck, replacing the huge Amp and all those cables with the small aTV puck my living room even looks better.

In case one breaks, I got a used HP from eBay, paid full price (330).