Several tech devices reached their end-of-life recently - see if yours is on the list

It’s the end of the road for several beloved gadgets, as some of the industry’s most popular brands — Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft — have quietly nudged their older devices out the door. Software support for these once-flagship devices has officially ended, leaving users to either hold on tight for the nostalgia or start thinking about their next upgrade.

Apple, always the trendsetter, is making headlines by tagging some of its most iconic products as either “vintage” or “obsolete.” If your device is on the vintage list — like the 12-inch MacBook (2017) or the sixth-gen base iPad — you’re not entirely out of luck. You can still get repairs, but only if parts are available, which, let’s face it, isn’t guaranteed. However, if your device has joined the ranks of the “obsolete,” like the iPhone 6 or the final iPod nano and shuffle models, it’s time to say your goodbyes. Apple won’t be offering any hardware support anymore, except for battery repairs on Macs.

The move is a gut-punch for those who’ve been clutching their iPods like tech relics from a better time. But it’s a reminder that nothing lasts forever, especially in tech.

Meanwhile, Samsung has cut ties with a couple of its older devices, namely the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and the Galaxy Tab A7. These gadgets were trailblazers in their own right, but Samsung has stopped pushing out security updates or major Android upgrades. The Galaxy Z Fold 2, launched before Samsung committed to longer software support, had a decent run with four years of updates. But in an era where major tech brands are now offering up to seven years of OS and security updates, this cutoff feels a little premature.

At least Galaxy Z Fold 3 users can breathe easy for a while. They’re covered by security updates until 2026, so there’s no rush to part ways just yet.

As for Microsoft, its foray into foldables hasn’t exactly gone as planned. The Surface Duo 2, a unique dual-screen device that promised a new way to multitask, is now headed for the tech graveyard. Microsoft has just rolled out what is likely the final update for the Surface Duo 2, a modest Android 12 patch, marking the end of the line for this quirky foldable. Despite its ambitious design, the Duo 2 didn’t quite hit the mark, with users pointing to camera issues, usability hiccups, and slow software support as deal-breakers. Yep, the device only got one major Android OS update — from Android 11 to Android 12 — and Microsoft has now officially marked the end date for the Duo 2’s lifecycle: October 21, 2024.

The tech world isn’t all doom and gloom, though. If there’s one silver lining to all this, it’s that software support timelines are improving across the board. The latest Google and Samsung devices, for example, now come with up to seven years of Android OS and security updates, allowing users to hold onto their gadgets longer without worrying about falling behind on essential upgrades. This shift is a massive win for sustainability, your wallet, and let’s be honest, our emotional attachment to these devices.

So, while these older devices may be on their way out, we can look forward to a future where our gadgets stick around for the long haul.