Apple Quietly Discontinues 25 Products in 2025, Signaling a Major Shift in Its Ecosystem
Written by Nour Abdelkader
As 2025 draws to a close, Apple’s product lineup looks dramatically different from what it was at the start of the year. Over the past 12 months, the company has quietly but decisively discontinued up to 25 devices and accessories, marking the end of several familiar product lines and pushing its ecosystem toward a more streamlined future.
As is often the case with Apple, many of these discontinuations were expected. Newer models with upgraded chips replaced older versions, making them redundant. However, some changes stood out—particularly in the iPhone lineup—where Apple finally closed the door on long-standing design choices that had defined its smartphones for years.
The End of the iPhone SE Era
The most significant shift came with the discontinuation of the third-generation iPhone SE in February, following the launch of the iPhone 16e. This move ended a product line that began in 2016 and represented Apple’s last remaining “classic” iPhone design.
With the iPhone SE gone, Apple no longer sells any iPhone featuring a Home button, Touch ID, LCD display, screen sizes under six inches, or a Lightning port. It marks a clean break from the past and a clear statement about the future direction of the iPhone.
Originally inspired by the iPhone 5s, the iPhone SE later adopted the iPhone 8 design in its 2020 and 2022 versions. For users who preferred smaller phones or fingerprint authentication, the SE line was the final refuge—one that officially disappeared in 2025.
iPhone Plus Models Fade Away
Another notable exit is the gradual disappearance of the iPhone Plus models. Apple discontinued both the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 15 Plus this year, with expectations that the iPhone 16 Plus could soon follow. The company appears to be shifting away from the “Plus” concept in favor of an ultra-thin “iPhone Air,” with no immediate plans to revive the Plus lineup.
In total, Apple discontinued seven iPhone models in 2025, including the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max (replaced by the iPhone 17 Pro lineup), along with the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 14, 14 Plus, and the iPhone SE.
iPad Updates Focused on Performance
Apple’s iPad strategy in 2025 centered more on internal upgrades than radical redesigns. Most models received faster processors while retaining familiar designs. As a result, Apple phased out the iPad Pro with the M4 chip, the iPad Air with the M2 chip, and the 10th-generation iPad after newer versions were introduced.
Apple Watch Lineup Refresh
Apple Watch updates followed a similar pattern. While the Apple Watch Series 11 brought incremental improvements over Series 10, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Watch SE 3 delivered more noticeable upgrades. Consequently, Apple discontinued the Watch Ultra 2, Watch Series 10, and Watch SE 2. Interestingly, none of the new models introduced a brand-new chip, reinforcing the idea that these were evolutionary, not revolutionary, updates.
Changes Across the Mac Line
Mac users also saw several products retired. Apple discontinued the Mac Studio powered by M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips after launching updated configurations. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip was also phased out, alongside the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with M3 chips. Even the older 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip was fully removed from the market.
Accessories and the Final Goodbye to Lightning
Beyond its core devices, Apple trimmed its accessories lineup as well. AirPods Pro 2 were replaced by AirPods Pro 3, while the original Vision Pro headset with the M2 chip gave way to a newer version. Several chargers and cables were also updated or discontinued, including the Lightning-to-3.5mm audio cable—a small but symbolic step in Apple’s complete transition to USB-C.
Some accessory changes were limited to specific markets such as the US, UK, India, Japan, and Canada, but together they reinforce Apple’s broader push toward a unified, modern ecosystem.
By retiring 25 products in a single year, Apple has made it clear that legacy designs and transitional technologies are no longer part of its long-term vision.
