Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

The iPad 3 goes from ‘revolutionary’ to obsolete at breakneck speed

By Steven Winkelman Published November 1, 2017

If you own an iPad 3, you may finally have an excuse to upgrade to a newer model. Apple officially confirmed that the third-generation iPad is now a vintage and obsolete product, after MacRumors reported on an internal memo released to Apple Authorized Service Providers earlier this week. Both Wi-Fi and cellular versions made the list. They join the original iPad as the second iPad to hit the list.

While the terms vintage and obsolete are used pretty interchangeably, there is a slight difference. In Apple parlance, obsolete products are those that were discontinued more than 7 years ago and for which hardware service is no longer available under any circumstances. Vintage products, on the other hand, still have hardware and repair service in California and Turkey.

Recommended Videos

When it was introduced in 2012, Apple marketing materials hailed the iPad 3 as “revolutionary.” While revolutionary may be a stretch, it did feature a number of firsts for an iPad. The iPad 3 was the first to feature the Retina display, the first to have an iSight camera (the iPad 2 had a 0.7 megapixel rear-facing camera), and the first to have quad-core graphics processing. It was also the first to have LTE capability, although this was only available in certain parts of the U.S. and Canada.

Even with its impressive specs, the iPad 3 was the shortest-lived iOS device in history. Seven months after its introduction, the iPad 3 was discontinued and replaced by the iPad 4. This may be the reason the iPad 3 was placed on the vintage and obsolete list while its predecessor, the iPad 2, continues to to supported.

If you own an iPad 3 and live in California, you’re in luck. California is the only state in the U.S. where Apple retail stores and Apple service providers will still make repairs to your iPad. If you live outside of California, you’ll need to look for a service provider in California should you need a repair.

The iPad 3 should continue to have limited hardware support in California for at least the next two years. Apple typically waits seven years after a product has been off the market before rendering a product obsolete and ending all hardware service.

Steven Winkelman

Former Staff Writer, Mobile

Steven writes about technology, social practice, and books. At Digital Trends, he focuses primarily on mobile and wearables…

Topics

Phones

Musk’s SpaceX could finally launch its carrier service after buying Boost Mobile

Elon Musk found a workaround after major mobile carriers blocked SpaceX’s network request.

SpaceX-Boost-Mobile-deal

Elon Musk wants SpaceX to become more than a rocket and satellite internet company. After Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T all turned down SpaceX's request to use their networks, the trillionaire is reportedly exploring a deal with Boost Mobile that could help the company enter the $235 billion US wireless market.

SpaceX has discussed either acquiring Boost or gaining access to its existing cellular network through parent company EchoStar. Neither option has been finalized, but it could give Musk a shortcut into an industry dominated by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

Phones

[EXCLUSIVE]: How Lexar made Muse, the world’s thinnest portable SSD that looks like a metal card

Lexar made a sleek metallic SSD that's just one millimeter across and magnetically attaches to your phone. The engineering is also pretty special on this one.

Lexar Muse SSD.

For decades, Lexar has been one of the most reliable names in memory and storage. From the era of megabyte-class storage cards and picture card drives to industry-first high-capacity cards, NVMe drives, and a stainless steel SD card as recently as 2024, the company has seen — and done — it all. Lexar's legacy has been a mainstay in the camera enthusiast community for years, and it's easy to see the brand's logo in a professional's kit.

So, it was only poetic that for its 30th anniversary, Lexar created something special. And this time around, that something special was targeted at smartphones, the device that has quickly become the camera of choice for the entire world. That reveal came at IFA 2026, where Lexar launched Muse, the world’s thinnest SSD. It's stunningly sleek and almost looks like a metallic card. It's so thin that there's not even a USB-C port, and it attaches magnetically to the back of your phone.

Phones

I visited Infinix’s first global flagship store, and it’s unlike any phone store I’ve been to

Phones, coffee, and robots: Infinix's Bali concept store was a delightful surprise

Infinix Flagship Store

I've been to plenty of smartphone stores over the years, and I can't tell any of these experiences apart. Picture neatly arranged tables, rows of smartphones, and the occasional accessory tucked away in a corner. Honestly, this works for most people who show up knowing exactly what they need and just leave.

So, when Infinix invited me to Bali for the grand opening of its first global flagship concept store, I was curious to see what the company had planned. I expected an elaborate showroom and a few extra things, like eye-catching installations to celebrate the occasion. And while there were a few of these, a lot of the things that actually caught my eye were permanent parts of the store.