Apple has quietly discontinued as many as 25 devices and accessories in 2025, spanning iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, and several legacy accessories. While such cleanups are not unusual, this year’s removals appear far more strategic, pointing toward Apple’s preparation for a new hardware era centered on advanced AI performance and next-generation chip technology.
Industry speculation suggests Apple is gearing up for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, rumored to feature a 2nm processor and a redesigned titanium chassis. To support these upcoming innovations, Apple is eliminating hardware that no longer meets its future performance and design standards. As a result, the 2025 discontinuation wave looks less like routine pruning and more like a foundation reset.
One of Apple’s primary goals is simplifying its product lineup. Older iPhones with home buttons, Touch ID, LCD displays, and non-AI-capable chipsets are being phased out. Models such as the iPhone SE (3rd generation) and earlier flagship iPhones have been discontinued to reduce overlap and ensure clearer upgrade paths for consumers. The move also ensures future devices stand out more distinctly when they arrive.
Apple is also accelerating its transition toward modern design and connectivity standards. Legacy technologies like Lightning ports, MagSafe 1 accessories, and older charging formats are being retired in favor of USB-C, Qi2 wireless charging, and accessories optimized for newer devices. This shift aligns Apple’s ecosystem more closely with global standards while simplifying accessory compatibility.
Across the Mac and iPad lineups, Apple is streamlining its Apple Silicon strategy. Older M-series configurations are being removed to minimize confusion and direct attention toward current-generation chips. The same approach is evident in the Apple Watch and AirPods ranges, where fewer models now offer clearer differentiation and a more focused buying experience.
For users, discontinued products will continue receiving software updates for the foreseeable future, but availability through official channels will fade. Prices may drop at third-party retailers, though repairs and accessories could become harder to source over time.
Overall, Apple’s 2025 product cleanup signals a decisive step toward a leaner, AI-ready ecosystem—clearing the path for the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the next chapter of Apple hardware innovation.