Apple updated its vintage and obsolete products list today with the addition of some older Beats wired headphones and accessories, including select first- or second-generation Heartbeats, Mixr, Powerbeats, Pro, Solo, Solo HD, Studio and Tour models. One old wireless model was also obsoleted.
Apple products on the vintage and obsolete list are no longer eligible for hardware service, with a few exceptions. Apple defines obsolete products as those that have not been manufactured for more than seven years, while vintage products are those that were discontinued more than five but less than seven years ago.
The following Beats headphones and accessories are now obsolete in the U.S., Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Latin America:
- Heartbeats (2nd gen.): black, white
- Mixr: black, white
- Powerbeats (1st gen.): black, red, white
- Pro: black, Detox, white
- Solo (1st gen.): black, white, HTC white
- Solo HD: black, black-gold, purple, red, white, Yao Ming
- Studio (1st g.): Red Sox, black, blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, silver, white
- Tour (1st gen.): black, white
- Urbeats (1st gen.): black, matte white
- Wireless (1.5): black, white
Apple obsoleting many of the older Beats wired models listed above is largely unsurprising, but it comes at a time when the company is expected to make a big push towards wireless connectivity on its flagship product.
Multiple reports claim the iPhone 7 will not have a headphone jack, but rather an all-in-one Lightning port for docking and audio. iPhone 7 users would be able to pair wireless headphones over Bluetooth, use Lightning-equipped headphones or connect headphones with traditional 3.5mm jacks with a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter.
Apple may release Lightning-equipped EarPods, and the company already offers Powerbeats 2, Solo2 and Studio wireless headphones through its Beats brand. It is also rumored the iPhone 7 will feature wireless charging, allowing for the smartphone to be charged at the same time Lightning-equipped headphones are being used.
Apple is also said to be developing new wireless headphones ahead of the iPhone 7's likely September unveiling.
Top Rated Comments
Where's the rumor they'll finally adapt AptX, or AptX lossless? If going wireless means being forced back into the realm of AAC, I'll pass and run as many janky adaptors as needed for analog out to my existing P5s; if, on the other hand, I can enjoy my ALAC files over wireless, I'll gladly replace/upgrade my P5s for it, if only to free myself of this terrible, easily broken cable.
(YES, I know they suck, YES, I know there are better on the market, NO, I don't bloody well care)
Not that I think everyone should jump on the wireless headphone bandwagon, but if anyone should do it it should be Apple. They really need to turn that Beats investment into some game changing stuff. Wireless Beats earpods with every iPod/iPhone if you ask me.
Or maybe I'm being a bit irrational.