Apple Watch Series 3 and 4 are now on the vintage list

Still ticking, but now officially vintage. Apple has moved the full range of Series 3 and Series 4 models to its vintage list, marking the end of regular service support for many of its early mainstream wearables.

None of this comes as a surprise. With Series 11 now available, older models are steadily being phased out of the support window. But if you’re still wearing one of these, as some people clearly are, here’s what vintage status actually means.

Series 3 and 4 now officially vintage

Vintage means these watches were discontinued more than five years ago but less than seven. So depending on where you live, Apple might still offer service or repairs, but it is not guaranteed. In some countries, consumer protection laws extend this window, but in others, support could already be patchy.

The move puts more pressure on owners of these older devices to consider an upgrade, especially as newer versions bring in health features like blood oxygen, temperature sensing and crash detection. Software updates have already left these older models behind, so hardware support was the final thread connecting them to Apple’s ecosystem.

This latest update bumps a long list of Apple Watch Series 3 and Series 4 models into vintage status. These include all aluminium, stainless steel, Nike, Hermès and Edition models in both sizes.

The Series 3 first appeared in 2017 and was the first Apple Watch with optional cellular. It remained on sale for years after newer models arrived, making it one of Apple’s longest-running wearables. Apple uses the date a product was last sold, not the release date, to determine vintage status. Series 3 stayed on sale until 2021, which is why it only qualifies for vintage status now.

The Series 4 came out a year later in 2018, and introduced a new design with slimmer bezels and a larger display, along with the first ECG capability.

Once a watch is on the vintage list, it is in a sort of limbo. And once it tips over the seven-year mark, it joins the obsolete category permanently.

Apple Watch Series 2 is now fully obsolete

In August, the Series 1 was moved to the obsolete list. Recently Series 2 joined it.

Launched in 2016, Series 2 was Apple’s first wearable with built-in GPS and proper water resistance. It was the model that opened the door to tracking workouts without needing your phone nearby, especially for runners and swimmers.

But that chapter has fully closed. The 42mm aluminium version, along with the 38mm and 42mm stainless steel variants, are now on Apple’s obsolete list. This means you can no longer get them serviced or repaired through official Apple channels. The company and its authorised repair partners have stopped offering parts or support for the Series 2 lineup altogether.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

If you’re still using one and it’s working fine, great. Just be aware that once it breaks, there’s no formal path to fix it other than going through third-party shops. And even then, replacement parts are likely to be salvaged or aftermarket, since official support has dried up.

You can check Apple’s vintage and obsolete list in full on this link.

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