With nearly 30 new merchandise launched in 2024, Apple additionally discontinued a bunch of older devices this yr. A number of the gadgets 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 all the most controversial merchandise that Apple stopped promoting in 2024.
FineWoven circumstances
Apple’s leather-based case alternative was a flop. The FineWoven merchandise have been controversial, and the corporate rapidly addressed this subject by eradicating the iPhone circumstances 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 provide you with another. As a substitute, its subsidiary Beats launched a plastic case for the iPhone 16. They’re nice, however inferior to the leather-based variations.
AirPods Max (Lightning)
AirPods Max are Apple’s premium headphones that lasted lengthy sufficient to develop into controversial. Whereas they’ve stunning building, spectacular sound high quality, and all of the options that make AirPods so magical, they by no means bought in addition to Apple needed.
For 4 years, prospects waited for a second iteration of those headphones. As a substitute, they bought 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, they usually 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 essential digital camera function accessible 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 continually overheated. Even with a number of software program updates, customers complained about how this gadget dealt with heavier duties. Apple discontinued this gadget 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 powerful M1 iPad Professional launch, the M2 iteration was fairly meh. Nobody can say this gadget 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 important product. Nonetheless, no less than within the US, there was a significant controversy: Apple needed to halt gross sales of this wearable because of a patent infringement ban. Because of this, throughout nearly all of the time the corporate bought this wearable, it couldn’t embody a functioning blood oxygen sensor within the US.
A solution 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 this present day, Apple Watch Collection 10 fashions bought within the US nonetheless endure 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.
Happily, 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 gadgets.
