Apple Discontinues 15 Devices After Launch of iPhone 17e and New MacBooks

Apple Discontinues 15 Devices After Launch of New iPhone and Mac Models

Apple ends support for several iPhones, MacBooks, and displays following its latest hardware refresh

Apple has discontinued 15 devices from its active product lineup this week after unveiling several new products, including the iPhone 17e, updated MacBook Air models with new silicon, and a new entry-level laptop called the MacBook Neo. The move clears space for the company’s latest hardware while simplifying its retail lineup across phones, laptops, and display accessories.

The changes arrived shortly after Apple announced multiple new devices earlier this month, including refreshed MacBook Air models powered by the Apple M5 chip and updates across its Mac and iPad portfolio. As a result, older iPhones, MacBooks, displays, and accessories have now been removed from Apple’s official store listings.

While the discontinued devices may still appear through third-party retailers for some time, Apple has effectively ended direct sales for these models.

Focused bearded man watching iPhone model smartphone in town


Devices Apple Discontinued This Week

The list of products removed from Apple’s current lineup spans several categories, including smartphones, laptops, professional displays, and workstation hardware.

iPhone
Apple discontinued one smartphone model:

iPhone 16e (2025)

The iPhone 16e served as Apple’s previous entry-level smartphone before being replaced by the newly introduced iPhone 17e.

iPad

Two tablet models are also leaving the lineup:


11-inch iPad Air with M3 (2025)

13-inch iPad Air with M3 (2025)

These models were part of Apple’s iPad Air refresh in 2025 but are now replaced by newer configurations.

MacBook Air

Two laptop models have been phased out:


13-inch MacBook Air with M4 (2025)

15-inch MacBook Air with M4 (2025)

These models are being replaced by updated MacBook Air devices powered by the newer M5 processor.

MacBook Pro

Several professional laptop models were also removed:


13-inch MacBook Pro with M5 (512GB storage, 2025)

14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro (2024)

16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro (2024)

14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Max (2024)

16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Max (2024)

Apple typically retires MacBook Pro configurations when a new generation of Apple Silicon becomes available.

Desktop and Displays

A number of professional desktop products and displays were also discontinued:


Mac Studio with M3 Ultra (2025)

Studio Display with A13 chip (2022)

Pro Display XDR (2019)

Pro Stand for Pro Display XDR (2019)

Pro Display XDR VESA Mount Adapter (2019)

The removal of the Pro Display XDR and its accessories is particularly notable because the display had remained in Apple’s lineup for several years without a direct successor.

Why Apple Retired These Devices

Technology companies regularly discontinue older products after launching newer ones, but Apple’s recent product refresh created an unusually large turnover across several categories.

The company introduced multiple new devices within a short period. These include:


iPhone 17e

MacBook Neo

MacBook Air with M5

Updated MacBook Pro models powered by newer Apple Silicon

Because Apple sells a limited number of active models at any given time, older devices are typically removed once replacements arrive.

Another factor is Apple’s shift toward new silicon platforms. The introduction of the M5 chip represents the next step in Apple’s multi-year transition to its own processors across Macs.

New Devices That Triggered the Changes

iPhone 17e
The new iPhone 17e replaces the iPhone 16e as Apple’s entry-level smartphone.

The phone follows a strategy similar to Apple’s earlier iPhone SE models. It offers modern hardware while maintaining a lower price than the flagship iPhone series.

Key reported features include:


Apple’s new A19 processor

A 4-core GPU configuration

256GB of base storage

Updated internal architecture

The device is positioned as a budget-friendly iPhone option while still supporting Apple’s latest software features.

In India, pricing reportedly starts at around ₹64,900.

MacBook Neo

Apple also introduced the MacBook Neo, a new entry-level laptop designed to compete with affordable Windows laptops and Chromebooks.

The MacBook Neo includes:


A 13-inch Liquid Retina display

Fanless aluminum design

Apple’s A18 Pro chip

8GB unified memory (base model)

256GB storage

The laptop starts around ₹69,900 in India, making it one of the most affordable MacBooks Apple has released in recent years.

Industry observers say the Neo signals Apple’s push toward expanding its presence in the education and entry-level laptop market.

MacBook Air with M5

The latest MacBook Air with M5 models represent the biggest performance upgrade to the MacBook Air lineup since Apple introduced its first custom processor in 2020.

Apple says the M5 chip can deliver performance up to several times faster than the original M1 MacBook Air, particularly in tasks such as:

multitasking

content creation

light AI workloads

Other updates include:


doubled base storage (512GB)

faster SSD speeds

support for up to 4TB of storage

The new MacBook Air models maintain the same fanless design that has defined the lineup since Apple moved away from Intel processors.

Industry Context: Apple’s Fast Hardware Cycles

Apple’s decision to retire 15 devices at once reflects the company’s increasingly rapid hardware update cycle.

Over the past few years, Apple has accelerated development across several product categories. The company now refreshes many devices annually, particularly those powered by Apple Silicon.

The broader technology industry is also moving faster.

Companies such as Samsung and Qualcomm are releasing new mobile processors and AI-focused chips at a faster pace. Laptop manufacturers are also updating designs more frequently as competition increases in thin-and-light computing.

Apple’s move to its own processors allows it to control both hardware and software development cycles, which can speed up product transitions.

The retirement of older hardware is one side effect of that strategy.

What This Means for Consumers

For most users, discontinued Apple devices do not immediately lose support.

Apple typically continues to provide:


software updates

security patches

hardware repair support

for several years after a device stops being sold.

However, discontinuation does signal that the product is nearing the end of its retail lifecycle.

Consumers considering one of these models may still find them through online retailers or resellers, often at discounted prices.

In some cases, discontinued Apple products become attractive options for buyers seeking lower prices while still getting Apple hardware.

At the same time, the newer devices often bring improvements in:


processor performance

battery efficiency

AI processing capabilities

storage speeds

These upgrades can influence upgrade decisions for users with older devices.

Author Insight: What This Pattern Suggests

After covering smartphone and laptop launches for several years, a pattern has become clear with Apple’s hardware strategy.

First, Apple increasingly prefers shorter product lifecycles. Devices that once stayed in the lineup for two or three years are now replaced more quickly.

Second, Apple tends to remove multiple devices immediately after introducing a new processor generation. The M-series chip transition is driving much of this change across the Mac lineup.

Third, Apple’s recent announcements suggest the company is expanding its hardware range at both ends of the market. The MacBook Neo targets budget buyers, while high-end MacBook Pro and Mac Studio systems continue to focus on professionals.

This dual strategy allows Apple to reach a wider range of customers while still pushing forward with new silicon technology.

Development Timeline Leading to This Week’s Changes

The discontinuation of these devices follows several developments over the past year.

2019
Apple introduced the Pro Display XDR, a high-end professional monitor aimed at video editors and production studios.

2020
Apple launched its first Macs powered by Apple Silicon, beginning with the M1 processor.

2022
The company introduced the Studio Display, a more affordable monitor aimed at creators and professionals.

2024–2025
Apple expanded its M-series processors with more powerful chips, including M4 and M5 variants used in MacBook and desktop systems.

2026
New hardware announcements including the iPhone 17e, MacBook Neo, and MacBook Air with M5 prompted Apple to remove older models from its active lineup.

This pattern reflects Apple’s long-term transition toward newer chip architectures and refreshed product designs.

When the Next Apple Hardware Updates May Arrive

While Apple has not confirmed its future launch schedule, industry reports suggest additional updates may appear later this year.

Based on Apple’s previous release patterns, observers expect:


potential updates to iPad models

new Mac desktop configurations

further expansion of Apple Silicon processors

Apple usually introduces major iPhone updates in September each year, though entry-level models such as the iPhone 17e sometimes arrive earlier.

Mac updates, on the other hand, can occur at multiple points throughout the year depending on processor availability.

Key Takeaways

• Apple has discontinued 15 devices from its official lineup following recent hardware launches
• The list includes older iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and display products
• The changes come after the release of the iPhone 17e, MacBook Neo, and new MacBook Air models
• Apple’s shift to newer Apple Silicon chips is driving faster hardware refresh cycles
• Discontinued devices may still receive software support for several years

External references and further reading