Apple has officially added the original Apple TV 4K from 2017 to its list of vintage products, just as the company prepares to unveil a new generation of smart home devices.
The timing is particularly interesting, with Apple set to hold a launch event on October 13, where a new Apple TV streaming device is expected to make an appearance. While the vintage classification doesn’t necessarily confirm an upcoming replacement, it comes as rumours of a refreshed Apple TV continue to build.
For those unfamiliar with Apple’s terminology, a product becomes vintage once more than five years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. This doesn’t mean the device will suddenly stop working, but it does make getting official repairs a little more complicated.
Apple can still provide servicing for vintage products, although repairs depend on the availability of replacement parts. Once a device reaches obsolete status, typically seven years after sales have ended, Apple generally stops offering hardware repairs altogether.
That means owners of the first-generation Apple TV 4K don’t necessarily need to rush out and buy a replacement. The streaming box should continue working as usual, provided it’s still functioning properly and supports the apps and services they use.
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The original Apple TV 4K arrived in 2017, bringing 4K streaming to Apple’s set-top box lineup for the first time. Since then, the company has released newer versions, including the third-generation Apple TV 4K in 2022, which remains its most recent model.
Apple’s next streaming device is expected to arrive as part of a broader smart home refresh, although the company has yet to confirm what upgrades it will bring.
For now, the vintage classification is more of a concern for owners who might need repairs than those still happily using their older Apple TV.
With a potential successor just around the corner, however, anyone considering an upgrade might want to hold off until Apple’s October 13 announcement.