With nearly 30 new merchandise launched in 2024, Apple additionally discontinued a bunch of older devices this yr. A number of the units Apple stopped promoting this yr have been controversial throughout their lifespan, so we thought we’d take one final look again.
Right here, we’ll cowl the entire most controversial merchandise that Apple stopped promoting in 2024.
FineWoven instances
Apple’s leather-based case alternative was a flop. The FineWoven merchandise have been controversial, and the corporate rapidly addressed this challenge by eradicating the iPhone instances from retailer cabinets and rebranding the opposite FineWoven merchandise to keep away from extra backlash. However, customers can nonetheless get FineWoven Wallets and Apple Watch bands.
Sadly, Apple didn’t give you another. As an alternative, its subsidiary Beats launched a plastic case for the iPhone 16. They’re nice, however not so good as the leather-based variations.
AirPods Max (Lightning)
AirPods Max are Apple’s premium headphones that lasted lengthy sufficient to turn out to be controversial. Whereas they’ve stunning building, spectacular sound high quality, and all of the options that make AirPods so magical, they by no means offered in addition to Apple wished.
For 4 years, prospects waited for a second iteration of those headphones. As an alternative, they acquired a USB-C model with nearly the identical options (apart from assist for wired listening). Whereas AirPods Max are nonetheless very good, they’re steeped in controversy: They’re heavy, the carrying case isn’t sensible, and so they lack correct Discover My capabilities, Lossless assist, and extra.
iPhone 15 Professional
How can the perfect iPhone of the yr even be the worst? Apple’s iPhone 15 Professional was controversial from the start: It lacked an necessary digital camera function obtainable on the iPhone 15 Professional Max, had horrible battery life, and a lot of the points involved the A17 Professional chip.
Whereas it had a revolutionary 3nm processor, it always overheated. Even with a number of software program updates, customers complained about how this system dealt with heavier duties. Apple discontinued this system after it launched the iPhone 16 Professional mannequin. Nonetheless, the primary iPhone with Apple Intelligence was one of many worst the corporate ever launched.
M2 iPad Professional
After a formidable M1 iPad Professional launch, the M2 iteration was fairly meh. Nobody can say this system wasn’t highly effective sufficient. Nonetheless, its equipment would drain its battery when it wasn’t in use, and the shortage of main new options made this iPad Professional a weak improve.
Customers have been hoping for a front-facing digital camera in panorama mode, an improve to the Magic Keyboard, and an attractive iPadOS replace. All of that got here in 2024 with the M4 iPad Professional.
Apple Watch Collection 9
The Apple Watch Collection 9 was an excellent product. Nonetheless, no less than within the US, there was a serious controversy: Apple needed to halt gross sales of this wearable on account of a patent infringement ban. In consequence, throughout nearly all of the time the corporate offered this wearable, it couldn’t embrace a functioning blood oxygen sensor within the US.
A strategy to keep away from this ban was to buy an Apple Watch Collection 9 from a third-party market or one other nation. Even to today, Apple Watch Collection 10 fashions offered within the US nonetheless undergo from this ban.
Magic equipment
Apple launched the Magic equipment with a Lightning port in 2015. Whereas they have been a greater answer than their predecessor, with a detachable battery, it was a shock when the corporate launched the M3 iMac nonetheless with Lightning ports.
Luckily, by the top of 2024, Apple revamped the iMac with the M4 chip and USB-C port. This alteration allowed customers to make use of a single cable for a number of units.
