Apple May Discontinue These Four Products Soon
▼ Summary
– Apple is reportedly discontinuing the iPhone 16e as inventory dries up ahead of the imminent iPhone 17e launch.
– The M3 iPad Air is also facing shortages, signaling its replacement by a new M4 iPad Air model soon.
– The current Apple Studio Display is in short supply, indicating a long-awaited refresh is nearly ready.
– MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips are in short supply, with new M5 versions expected to replace them.
– These product shortages across multiple lines are strong indicators of Apple’s upcoming launch events for successors.
Signs are mounting that Apple is preparing to discontinue several current products, with retail inventory reportedly dwindling across its online and physical stores. This typical supply chain pattern strongly suggests the imminent arrival of new successors, marking a significant refresh cycle for the company’s lineup. For consumers, this signals both an opportunity to find potential discounts on outgoing models and a preview of the next generation of Apple hardware.
The iPhone 16e, introduced just last February as a budget-conscious option, appears to be on its way out. According to industry reports, retail sources indicate that stock of this model has “basically dried out.” With the anticipated launch of the iPhone 17e expected within weeks, Apple’s strategy seems clear: rather than keeping the older model at a reduced price, it will be phased out entirely to make room for its successor.
Similarly, the M3 iPad Air is showing clear signs of a nearing replacement. Launched in March of last year, this tablet is now experiencing widespread shortages. Reliable sources point to the upcoming release of an M4 iPad Air in the very near future, aligning with the supply constraints currently observed. This rapid refresh cycle highlights Apple’s accelerated pace in transitioning its iPad lineup to newer silicon.
In the display category, the Apple Studio Display is poised for its first update in four years. The current model is now listed with extended shipping estimates, both online and in stores, with new shipments not anticipated until late February or early March at the earliest. This dwindling availability is a classic precursor to a product refresh, strongly indicating that a new Studio Display will soon replace the existing version.
The MacBook Pro lineup is also in for a simplification. Currently, the high-end laptops are available with a mix of M4 Pro, M4 Max, and M5 chips. However, reports confirm that the M4 Pro and M4 Max configurations are in short supply, a telltale sign that new models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are on the horizon. A product launch for these updated MacBook Pros is reportedly planned, potentially arriving sooner than many expect.
This collective shift underscores Apple’s focused strategy to streamline its offerings and transition key product families to their latest generations. For shoppers, the coming weeks will likely bring a wave of new announcements alongside the official discontinuation of these four products.
(Source: 9to5Mac)
