Apple today removed the link to the iPod classic from the sidebar of its U.S. and Canadian refurbished stores, perhaps offering an indication that the ancient hard drive-based MP3 player is finally on its last legs. Though the link is gone, the actual page for the refurbished iPod classic remains on Apple's website.

The sidebar link is still present in Apple's international refurbished stores for the time being, but it is greyed out, indicating that no units are available to purchase. It is not entirely clear when Apple's refurbished store last had iPod classic models in stock, but it seems to have been quite some time ago and today's removal of the sidebar link suggests that Apple has no plans to bring them back to the store.

ipod-missingB
The iPod classic is the successor to the original iPod introduced in 2001 and is the only remaining MP3 player in Apple's lineup that uses a hard disk drive for music storage. As highlighted in our Buyer's Guide, Apple hasn't updated the iPod classic since 2009, and no further updates are expected given the device's age and the fact that hard drive manufacturers are no longer producing the 1.8-inch hard drives used in the iPod classic. Seemingly every year, a new crop of rumors claims Apple is discontinuing the device, but the venerable iPod classic has hung on year after year as an option for those looking to carry larger music libraries on the go. Speculation has suggested that once the iPod touch becomes available in a 128 GB option, Apple may finally choose to retire the iPod classic, but the company has elected not to increase the maximum capacity of the iPod touch since 2009 when the third-generation model became the first to offer up to 64 GB of storage.

Sales of Apple's iPod lineup have been declining as customers turn to the iPhone to meet their music needs. In its latest quarterly earnings for Q2 2014, iPod net sales contributed only 1 percent to Apple's overall revenue, while the iPhone accounted for 57 percent. The iPhone may have crippled iPod sales, but the iWatch may be the death knell. According to analyst Christopher Caso of Susquehanna Financial Group, sales of the iPod will continue to decline precipitously as consumers choose the wrist-watch device instead of a stand-alone player.

While we don’t expect AAPL to discontinue iPod for some time, we also don’t expect an iPod refresh this year, and believe iPod could post Y/Y unit declines as a result as consumers purchasing iWatch as a substitute.

Besides the iPod classic, Apple also recently removed the 17-inch MacBook Pro from its refurbished store after discontinuing the notebook in 2012.

(Thanks, Max!)

Related Forum: iPod touch and iPod

Top Rated Comments

spyguy10709 Avatar
128 months ago
The end is nigh my friends. Goodnight sweet prince. :apple:

For old time's sake...
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArtOfWarfare Avatar
128 months ago
There's no 2013 MacPro in the Refurbished store either. I'm pretty sure this must mean they're discontinuing it in favor of the 2012 model.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roadbloc Avatar
128 months ago
I wouldn't hold my breath. Downloadable song/album sales are plateauing and the new growth sector in music sales/distribution is in streaming services.

:(

That streaming crap is useless in my area. Neither broadband connections or phone networks are anywhere near ready to handle it. For all of your music on the go, the iPod Classic is one of the few viable options. I hope Apple realizes this and still continues selling it.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
captain cadet Avatar
128 months ago
This must be the oldest selling device in Apple store.
But if this is the end, Goodbye old friend :(
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DeanL Avatar
128 months ago
I seriously hope that they will release new iPod Classic with at least 128gb of flash storage... well at least an iPod Nano with 64gb! If they really plan to sell lossless music on the iTunes store, they need an iPod (besides the Touch) with more than 64gb of storage...
And they could to an iPod Nano with 128gb of storage on a single chip since the iPad use that design.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jamiet361 Avatar
128 months ago
That's a shame, I still believe this to be the best value Apple product for listening to music.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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