Apple Watch 2 To Be Discontinued – What This Means For You

Remember when the second-generation Apple Watch was the must-have gadget of 2016? Fast-forward to today, and that $269/£269 smartwatch is officially obsolete. Yup, Apple just added it to the no-support list, meaning if your Series 2 breaks down, you’re out of luck.

What Does “Obsolete” Really Mean?

Spotted first by MacRumors, the Apple Watch Series 2 now joins the ranks of forgotten tech. Apple defines a product as obsolete when it hasn’t been sold for over seven years. Translation: no repairs, no parts, no support. It’s as good as a fancy paperweight if something goes wrong.

 

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Here’s how Apple puts it on their site:
“Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago. Apple discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products, and service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products.”

But wait! If you have the pricier ceramic version of the Series 2 (originally $369/£369), you’re not entirely doomed—yet. It’s not on the obsolete list just yet, so if you need repairs, act fast.

 

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A Blast from the Past

The Series 2 was a game-changer in its prime, offering waterproofing and built-in GPS—huge improvements over the original. When it launched, reviews were glowing, including a four-star nod from MailOnline, praising its better battery life but noting it wasn’t a “radical redesign.”

However, Apple’s tech graveyard is getting crowded. Alongside the Series 2, the iPhone XS Max (2018) and iPhone 6s Plus (2015) have been downgraded to “vintage” status. That means repairs might still be possible—if parts are available.

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The Bigger Problem: E-Waste

While Apple churns out new devices annually, environmentalists are raising concerns about the growing e-waste crisis. With a product lifespan of less than a decade, high-priced gadgets are heading to landfills faster than ever. Once there, toxic chemicals leach into groundwater or are released into the air, wreaking havoc on the planet.

“Electronic waste is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream and represents a global crisis,” says Nathan Proctor, senior director of Public Interest Research Group’s right-to-repair campaign. He also calls out tech giants for using software to block third-party repairs, making it harder to fix devices locally.

 

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Final Goodbye to Old Favorites

This isn’t Apple’s first farewell tour this year. The company also declared the iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle obsolete—a sad moment for anyone who remembers curating playlists on those iconic devices.

So, whether you’re rocking a vintage iPhone or clinging to a Series 2 Apple Watch, the message is clear: repair while you can—or say goodbye.