Apple is preparing to declare the third-generation iPad as obsolete by the end of October, a new report claims.
Every so often, Apple sends one of its products to the big tech graveyard in the sunny Californian sky. Its “vintage and obsolete products” list is home to an increasingly large roster of devices that will no longer receive hardware service.
The next addition to that list is tipped by MacRumours to be the third-generation iPad. The specialist tech site has reportedly seen an internal memo distributed to Apple Authorised Service Providers. In the memo, Apple explains that both Wi-Fi and cellular models of the third-generation iPad will be classified as obsolete around the world – except for in California and Turkey, for legal reasons.
This means Apple and Apple Authorised Service Providers are no longer obligated to repair or service the tablet, because it’s been five years since the product was last manufactured.
The third-generation iPad was launched way back in March 2012, and was formally known as “the new iPad” – or colloquially as the iPad 3. With the device, Apple introduced a Retina display, the then-new Apple A5X chip, and a 5-megapixel camera. It ran on the now-ancient iOS 5.1 software, and was eventually discounted in October 2012.
We gave the iPad 3 a respectable 4/5 score in our review, praising the tablet’s stunning screen, powerful graphics, good battery life, excellent build quality, and decent value for money. Our verdict was very positive, but we settled on the conclusion that is was “an evolutionary rather than revolutionary product”.
Apple has not yet confirmed that the iPad 3 will shortly become obsolete, but the change is expected to go live on October 31, 2017.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
