Apple Says iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 3 Now 'Vintage'

[MacRumors]

Apple today added the iPhone 11 Pro Max to its vintage products list. However, the iPhone 11 Pro was not added to the list yet, which suggests that Apple continued distributing that model to select third-party resellers for longer.

Despite being vintage now, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is still compatible with iOS 26.

All models of the Apple Watch Series 3 were also added to Apple's vintage products list today, a little more than eight years after the device launched.

Apple considers a device to be vintage after more than five years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. Apple and Apple Authorized Service Providers may offer repairs for vintage devices, but only if parts remain available.

Apple Watch Series 3 launched in September 2017, and it continued to be available as a budget option all the way until September 2022. As a testament to its longevity, the Series 3 was still being sold by Apple while watchOS 9 was in beta testing, despite that software update not being compatible with the device. In fact, the Series 3 had such a long run that Apple Watch Series 4 models were added to the vintage list first.

Article Link: Apple Says iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 3 Now 'Vintage'

 

[Zorn]

The 11 Pro was such a good year, that green color was probably my favorite Pro color thus far. I also think I recall them changing the sides of the device in some way as well, this one felt great in the hand.

 

[Shalev Lazarof]

can't forget that S3 staying in the line-up by apple for years after being crippled by watchOS, it was a shame.

 

[Populus]

I still remember going into fashion stores and seeing that green on many clothes…

You mean it’s been already 8 years since then? My God… I’m getting old faster than I thought.

 

[jz0309]

Had an 11PM for 2 years, was a great phone, as well as the S3

 

[jonnysods]

My daughter has my 11 Pro, we just put a battery in it 3 months ago, the thing is still rocking hard.

 

[GaryGnu]

I'm still using my Series 3, and it's working fine for my use. It still works, and does what I want it to do. Sure, it might be nice to have some of the newer tools, but all I really use it for is to track distance walked, and a quick glance at my wrist to see if limited notifications need to be looked at now. Since the 8 or 9, I look at the new offerings and think, "cool...not worth the replacement money until mine breaks". But that's me.

 

[now i see it]

No reason to get excited. "Vintage" and "Obsolete" designations for all iPhones follow the exact same formula:

5 years after an iPhone is officially discontinued by Apple, the device becomes "vintage". What this means is that replacement parts MAY not be available (but they probably will be) and Apple service providers will still repair it.
"Vintage" is a warning.

7 years after an iPhone is officially discontinued by Apple, the device becomes obsolete and no Apple parts will be available new and Apple won’t touch it.

 

[No5tromo]

so what makes the iPhone 11 base model and the standard size 11 Pro non-vintage? Also, isn't it supporting the latest iOS? How is such a product "vintage"?

 

[CMoore515]

So, maybe another year of iOS updates... It still runs OS26 IIRC. Pretty good support for an awesome phone series. Although by the time I upgraded, I was sick of the Pro Max size with the rounded edges.

 

[winxmac]

This seems to confirm my theory that based on iPhone XR, XS, XS Max software support from iOS 12 to iOS 18, the iPhone 11 series will not be able to upgrade to iOS 27 [20]

 

[BelgianChoklit]

My daughter has my 11 Pro, we just put a battery in it 3 months ago, the thing is still rocking hard.

It’s my favorite iPhone ever when it comes to feel in hand. I wish they’d kept that device size and increased the display size making bezels smaller. I also miss the curved edges, I wish we could go back for a couple of years.

 

[BoricuaHec01]

The green 11 Pro Max was definitely my favorite. Hence why I got the green TechWoven case for my 17 PM.

 

[JosephAW]

My 11 Pro Max was a better user experience than my 14 pro, the digitizer was so much easier to use, I’m always fighting swiping up versus swiping left and right and the miscues on the 14.

 

[jonnysods]

It’s my favorite iPhone ever when it comes to feel in hand. I wish they’d kept that device size and increased the display size making bezels smaller. I also miss the curved edges, I wish we could go back for a couple of years.

I loved that phone, best battery life I had experienced on an iPhone, and the green colour was great. Totally gotten our money's worth from it!

 

[Applewatch42]

my sister uses the Series 3 watch

 

[Diopter]

The Explorer watch face was a nice face. Shame they got rid of it.

 

[Applewatch42]

The Explorer watch face was a nice face. Shame they got rid of it.

I agree

 

[CoMoMacUser]

The 11 Pro was such a good year, that green color was probably my favorite Pro color thus far. I also think I recall them changing the sides of the device in some way as well, this one felt great in the hand.

Agreed. I miss my 11PM in Midnight Green. The only reason why I replaced it with a 15PM last year is because of some bug that prevented it from connecting to cellular. No one could fix it. Fortunately Apple gave me full trade-in value.

 

[Applewatch42]

It’s my favorite iPhone ever when it comes to feel in hand. I wish they’d kept that device size and increased the display size making bezels smaller. I also miss the curved edges, I wish we could go back for a couple of years.

I agree, my 16 Pro feels large

 

[mansplains]

I loved my green 11PM but I was enrolled in the iUP at the time… the 12P was so much worse to me, horrible battery with 5G, but at least the 13PM was stellar afterwards.

 

[tomtad]

so what makes the iPhone 11 base model and the standard size 11 Pro non-vintage? Also, isn't it supporting the latest iOS? How is such a product "vintage"?

iPhone 11 was sold for another year I believe

Still I do believe as tech is now lasting longer this 'vintage' label probably needs to be extended

 

[lotones]

Still rocking my 11 Pro, and still loving it, though it's about time to retire it. I've been a little jealous of the newer features like MagSafe and the Dynamic Island, but I'll miss the rounded edges... such a great hand feel. And I've loved the Midnight Green color... it makes me feel like it's ancient tech found at the bottom of the ocean. Definitely going to be a bittersweet upgrade when it happens.

 

[Marco Klobas]

Can't wait to see the vintage Apple Watch Series 3 be auctioned at Phillips by Bacs & Russo.

 

[schneeland]

This seems to confirm my theory that based on iPhone XR, XS, XS Max software support from iOS 12 to iOS 18, the iPhone 11 series will not be able to upgrade to iOS 27 [20]

Would suspect the same. I guess, it'll be time for my trusty 11 Pro to ride into the sunset, then.