Apple Retail Tipped To Set Original iPhone Status To "Obsolete"

It has been a long time coming, but Apple is finally going to nudge the first-generation iPhone into obsolete status in its retail stores, according to a leaked internal Apple memo that specifies the phone alongside several other devices. The change is set to take place this summer, and will see original iPhone users left with less official options for having their aging handset, which entered the world back in 2007, serviced.

According to the leaked document, on June 11 of this year the first generation iPhone will enter vintage status in the United States and will be classified as obsolete in Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Japan, Latin America and Apple's retail stores. Vintage is a slightly different designation from obsolete, per Apple's own lingo, which it lists on its website.

Says Apple, a vintage device was discontinued more than five years but less than seven years ago. If something is classified as vintage, it has a couple perks over being flat-out obsoleted, and will be serviceable in the state of California "as required by statute." Those with a Mac that has entered vintage mode can get parts and service in the state from service providers, while vintage iPod owners can get both in California via Apple's retail stores or AppleCare.

Once a product shifts from vintage to obsolete, all servicing options will come to an end. According to the leaked document, the 17-inch and 20-inch iMac G5 (iSight), late 2005 Mac mini, and 15-inch and 17-inch PowerBook G4 (Double-Layer SD) are slated to become obsolete. Meanwhile, the mid-2007 20-inch and 24-inch iMac, Mac Pro, late-2007 13-inch MacBook, late-2006 Xserve, late-2004 Xserve RAID SFP, 2.2/2.4GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro, and 2.4GHz 17-inch MacBook Pro will become vintage in the US and obsolete in Apple stores.

[via 9to5Mac]