- The Apple Watch Sequence 1 is now formally out of date, says Apple
- That makes it tougher to get official components and restore service
- Regardless of the title, it’s not the identical gadget as the unique Apple Watch
Are you continue to rocking an Apple Watch Sequence 1? If that’s the case, we’ve received some unhealthy information: Apple has simply declared it to be “out of date,” making it a lot trickier to get correct service in your smartwatch. However the state of affairs is definitely barely complicated, and there’s one other mannequin that’s usually confused for the Sequence 1.
We’ll get to that in a minute. However first, it’s value understanding what Apple’s declaration means. Apple classifies its personal merchandise as “classic” when the corporate stopped promoting them greater than 5 however fewer than seven years in the past. These merchandise then graduate to changing into “out of date” sooner or later after the seven-year mark. The Apple Watch Sequence 1 was discontinued seven years in the past in 2018.
Having a classic product isn’t so unhealthy: it signifies that you ought to nonetheless have the ability to get it serviced with official components from Apple, however provided that these components are literally accessible. As soon as it’s out of date, although, Apple will now not service it, and it’ll additionally cease making official components accessible to third-party restore outlets. That limits your choices for getting the gadget fastened up, and that’s simply what’s occurred to the Apple Watch Sequence 1.
What’s in a reputation?
Regardless of what you would possibly suppose, the Apple Watch Sequence 1 isn’t the identical as the unique Apple Watch – confusingly, it’s truly a second-generation mannequin. Apple launched the primary Apple Watch in 2015 (after teasing it in 2014), then launched the Sequence 1 and Sequence 2 (as a part of the identical technology) in 2016. The Sequence 1 was primarily a rebadged model of the unique Apple Watch with a barely modified chip inside. The Sequence 2, in the meantime, was a extra vital improve.
Apparently, Apple declared the Sequence 2 to be out of date in 2024 – earlier than the Sequence 1, regardless of each hailing from the identical technology. Apple stopped promoting the Sequence 2 in 2017 – a 12 months earlier than the Sequence 1 – which could clarify the discrepancy. Alternatively, Apple would possibly merely have run out of components for the Sequence 2 earlier than these for the Sequence 1.
Both manner, the fact is it’ll now be that a lot tougher to restore an Apple Watch Sequence 1. You’ll be able to attempt your luck at third-party restore outlets, however you’ll be counting on unofficial parts slightly than the true deal. When you’ve been fascinated by upgrading, now’s the time to begin weighing up your choices. With the Apple Watch Sequence 11 simply across the nook, there’s lots to think about.