Apple Discontinued These Four Products This Year, But One Will Return

[MacRumors]

As we get into the final months of 2024, now is a good opportunity to look back at devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year.

Apple products discontinued this year include the iPad 9, SuperDrive, FineWoven cases for the iPhone, and the Powerbeats Pro earbuds.

This list excludes most previous-generation devices that were discontinued this year as part of annual updates to Apple's product lineup, such as the iPhone 15 Pro and Apple Watch Series 9. The one exception to this rule is the iPad 9, as that device was discontinued in May, over a year and a half after the iPad 10 launched.

Check out our previous lists of Apple products discontinued in 2023, 2022, and 2021 as well.

iPad 9

On the same day that it unveiled new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in May, Apple discontinued the ninth-generation, entry-level iPad. In addition, Apple lowered the price of the tenth-generation iPad, which now starts at $349 in the U.S., down from $449.

SuperDrive

In August, the SuperDrive went out of stock on Apple's online store in the U.S., and it is now listed as sold out or unavailable in all countries. Given it has yet to return, it seems likely that Apple has discontinued the 16-year-old accessory.

Introduced in 2008, the SuperDrive is an external CD/DVD drive that was released alongside the original MacBook Air, which lacked a built-in CD/DVD drive. Despite having an outdated USB-A cable attached to it, the SuperDrive remained available on Apple's online store until just recently, becoming one of the company's longest-sold products.

FineWoven Cases

Apple last year discontinued its leather accessories, including iPhone cases, and it introduced a new "FineWoven" fabric material as a replacement.

"FineWoven" cases for the iPhone 15 series were widely panned, and it appears that Apple was well aware of this feedback, as the material is no longer offered for iPhone 16 cases just a year later. It is unclear if Apple will come up with a new solution.

Powerbeats Pro

Apple this month quietly discontinued the Powerbeats Pro, around five and a half years after the wireless earbuds launched.

Powerbeats Pro are a sportier, fitness-focused alternative to AirPods Pro with built-in, adjustable ear hooks for a secure fit. Key features of the original Powerbeats Pro include the H1 chip that debuted in the AirPods 2, IPX4-rated sweat and water resistance, up to nine hours of battery life, and silicone ear tips with four size options.

In a short teaser video last month, Apple revealed that it will be launching new Powerbeats Pro 2 next year. The earbuds look similar to the original Powerbeats Pro, but they have a more vertical, slimmer design. MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris later discovered iOS 18 code revealing that the Powerbeats Pro 2 will feature heart rate monitoring during workouts, and gain support for Active Noise Cancellation, Spatial Audio, and Adaptive Audio.

Article Link: Apple Discontinued These Four Products This Year, But One Will Return

 

[Dr McKay]

I found a heavily discounted FineWoven case for my 15 Pro, bought it out of curiosity to see how truly terrible it is. After 2 days use there was already a circle on the back from charging it via magsafe that doesn’t seem to go away, and after 2 weeks the edge of the fabric where it meets the sides is a slightly darker colour than the rest of the back.

 

[reyesmac]

At this point the iPad should cost about the same as a sub $100 phone does to manufacture. Even less than that.

 

[Marzzz]

My Superdrive still works, but I gotta admit i don't use it much anymore.

 

[Rayansb]

I found a heavily discounted FineWoven case for my 15 Pro, bought it out of curiosity to see how truly terrible it is. After 2 days use there was already a circle on the back from charging it via magsafe that doesn’t seem to go away, and after 2 weeks the edge of the fabric where it meets the sides is a slightly darker colour than the rest of the back.

by far one of Apple's worst products. I can't believe that garbage even passed preliminary quality testing.

 

[FasterQuieter]

I am betting a new and upgraded superdrive. I don't think I'll put any actual money on it, though.

 

[vertsix]

by far one of Apple's worst products. I can't believe that garbage even passed preliminary quality testing.

And the mental gymnastics on reddit and on this forum that people went through to justify their purchase or pretend they were good was comical. Will forever be remembered for me.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

What... I didn't know the SuperDrive was gone.

 

[cane811]

Bring back the MagSafe Duo.

 

[icanhazmac]

I wish they had updated the SuperDrive in its later years. Yes, you can buy cheap drives on Amazon but you tend to get what you pay for.

 

[Doomtomb]

I'm not encouraging that they bring back the SuperDrive but I knew this day would come. HOLD ON TO YOURS.

 

[Seoras]

Old timers like me still remember the cry babies who howled at the DVD drive being removed from the MacBooks.
Just like they howled at every other, soon to be obsolete, tech Apple removed.
Expect Mag Safe which was just plain dumb on Apple's part. They brought that back. Is that the only thing?

 

[turbineseaplane]

by far one of Apple's worst products.

Been quite a few contenders for this crown lately

 

[lowendlinux]

I have an OWC optical drive it's better if you just use it on your desktop

 

[Shaggymax]

I picked up a SuperDrive not long ago to keep in my Legacy IT closet. A picture is worth a thousand words...

 

[russell_314]

by far one of Apple's worst products. I can't believe that garbage even passed preliminary quality testing.

Now all they sell are $50 plastic cases…. You know those are so much better for the environment than leather 😂

Unfortunately after them making so much hoopla about discontinuing leather I don’t see Apple making any quality cases in the future

 

[Lioness~]

I have a Super Drive - it was some time ago I used it, or saw it, but when I last did I was happy I still had it. Because I thought exactly the same thing, the time before when I had use for it.

 

[CaféPicasso]

I bought my first Super Drive with the original MacBook Air. And I'm still using it to import music.
(I think it was called the MacBook Air Super Drive)

 

[russell_314]

I bought my first Super Drive with the original MacBook Air. And I'm still using it to import music.

I remember when I used to buy music on a disc…. I had a Sony Discman! Those were the days!

 

[CaféPicasso]

I remember when I used to buy music on a disc…. I had a Sony Discman! Those were the days!

I still do. Not because I'm nostalgic or missing the good old days but there is music that cannot be found on apple music.
And oh, yes... the Sony Discman!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I found a heavily discounted FineWoven case for my 15 Pro, bought it out of curiosity to see how truly terrible it is. After 2 days use there was already a circle on the back from charging it via magsafe that doesn’t seem to go away, and after 2 weeks the edge of the fabric where it meets the sides is a slightly darker colour than the rest of the back.

…but who makes the most profitable iPhone case? 😉

 

[ZeChild]

I get them binning the Super Drive, no one uses that format now, but it was weird that they binned fine woven without an explanation, I bought a FineWoven case for my 15 pm and it looks horrible now, I even bought the same for the wallet and it looks like garbage now, the old leather ones held up great! With the “patina” that they said would look great with fine woven was a lie, patina on fine woven looks dirty not weathered, I guess Apples scrambling to find the new best thing otherwise they’d have released a new best thing this release cycle😥

 

[ikramerica]

I am betting a new and upgraded superdrive. I don't think I'll put any actual money on it, though.

With bluray

 

[ikramerica]

I still do. Not because I'm nostalgic or missing the good old days but there is music that cannot be found on apple music.
And oh, yes... the Sony Discman!

We bought the first sony discman for my brother. The one tnat was so sensitive to bumps that portability was a joke. We ultimately just used it as a CD player hooked up to the stereo because it was the only CD player we owned anyway.

 

[russell_314]

With bluray

That would be hilarious if they did. I would buy it just as a collector item