In the technology world, Apple’s pace of updating new products is not fast, and some devices may not be updated for several years. However, when buying Apple products, it is always wise to understand market dynamics and predict future development trends. Some of Apple’s current products have not been updated for several years, so it is hard to say whether it is still a good time to buy them.
This article focuses on five Apple products that are “old” and have not been updated for several years. Although they are still available on the market, their technology may no longer be the latest. However, this does not mean that they are completely outdated.
In this article, we will give some advice based on market rumors and our personal insights to help you decide whether to buy these products.
Of course, the products listed here are just the tip of the iceberg. The article does not include older generation Apple products that are still on sale like the iPhone 13, as well as various accessories and cables.
Pro Display XDR
Apple released the Pro Display XDR in December 2019, so it will be celebrating its fifth birthday later this year. This high-end monitor starts at 39,999 yuan and is equipped with a 32-inch 6K resolution screen, but lacks a built-in camera and speakers.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said in December 2022 that Apple is working on multiple new external displays, including an updated Pro Display XDR that will be equipped with Apple silicon, just like the Studio Display with the A13 chip. However, it is unclear when the new Pro Display XDR will be released and what new features it will have.
Age: 4 years and 8 months
Recommendation: Given the high price and long life of the Pro Display XDR, it seems worth waiting for the next generation. Users can also consider the Studio Display, which was launched more than two years later than the Pro Display XDR, is more affordable, and has a built-in camera and speakers.
HomePod mini
The HomePod mini was released in November 2020, making it almost four years old now. The smaller Siri-enabled smart speaker has not received any hardware updates since its release, although it added blue, orange, and yellow color options in November 2021 and replaced space gray with a nearly identical midnight color a few months ago.
In February 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that mass production of the second-generation HomePod mini will begin in the second half of 2024, but it is not clear whether this information is still accurate as there have been no recent rumors about the HomePod mini.
Age: 3 years and 9 months
Recommendation: Given that rumors suggest the new HomePod mini could be released later this year, it might be best to wait another three or four months to see if it’s released. However, since the HomePod mini isn’t too expensive, you won’t lose much by buying it now if you don’t want to wait.
AirPods Max
AirPods Max were released in December 2020 and will be four years old later this year. Apple’s over-ear headphones have not received any hardware updates since then, and the price in Apple’s online store is still 3999 yuan, with five color options to choose from.
Age: 3 years and 8 months
Recommendation: We recommend waiting for the AirPods Max with a USB-C port to be launched later this year, but apart from this change, the other configurations of the new headphones do not seem to have been upgraded, so you can also consider other competing products with the same positioning, such as Sony XM5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sonos Ace.
iPad mini
Apple released the current iPad mini in September 2021, when new features included a larger 8.3-inch display, a USB-C port, a Touch ID power button, an A15 Bionic chip, 5G support for cellular models, a 12-megapixel rear camera with Center Stage support, compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and more.
In November 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that mass production of the next-generation iPad mini will begin in the second half of 2024. More recently, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said that inventory of the current iPad mini is beginning to decrease in Apple stores, which may be a sign that the device will be updated in the near future.
Rumored features for the next iPad mini include updated chips, upgraded cameras, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support, new color options, and a fix for the so-called “jelly scrolling” effect on the current model’s display.
Age: 2 years and 11 months
Recommendation: At this point, we recommend waiting for the new iPad mini rumored to be released later this year.
AirPods 3
The third-generation AirPods were released in October 2021, and it has been nearly three years now.
Two new fourth-generation AirPods are expected to be unveiled at Apple’s special event on September 10, and both new models are rumored to feature a tweaked design for a better fit in the ear, improved sound quality, and an updated earphone box with a USB-C port. The higher-end 4th-generation AirPods are also said to have active noise cancellation and a speaker in the charging case that can play sound for “Find” location tracking.
Age: 2 years and 10 months
Recommendation: Don’t buy the third-generation AirPods right now! Apple is expected to announce the fourth-generation AirPods in less than two weeks.
