Apple Discontinued These Four Products This Year, But One Will Return

As we get into the final months of 2024, now is a good opportunity to look back at devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year.

Apple Discontinued Products Goodbye
Apple products discontinued this year include the iPad 9, SuperDrive, FineWoven cases for the iPhone, and the Powerbeats Pro earbuds.

This list excludes most previous-generation devices that were discontinued this year as part of annual updates to Apple's product lineup, such as the iPhone 15 Pro and Apple Watch Series 9. The one exception to this rule is the iPad 9, as that device was discontinued in May, over a year and a half after the iPad 10 launched.

Check out our previous lists of Apple products discontinued in 2023, 2022, and 2021 as well.

iPad 9

iPad 9th gen feature
On the same day that it unveiled new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in May, Apple discontinued the ninth-generation, entry-level iPad. In addition, Apple lowered the price of the tenth-generation iPad, which now starts at $349 in the U.S., down from $449.

SuperDrive

8 Old SuperDrives
In August, the SuperDrive went out of stock on Apple's online store in the U.S., and it is now listed as sold out or unavailable in all countries. Given it has yet to return, it seems likely that Apple has discontinued the 16-year-old accessory.

Introduced in 2008, the SuperDrive is an external CD/DVD drive that was released alongside the original MacBook Air, which lacked a built-in CD/DVD drive. Despite having an outdated USB-A cable attached to it, the SuperDrive remained available on Apple's online store until just recently, becoming one of the company's longest-sold products.

FineWoven Cases

iPhone 15 Pro FineWoven feature
Apple last year discontinued its leather accessories, including iPhone cases, and it introduced a new "FineWoven" fabric material as a replacement.

"FineWoven" cases for the iPhone 15 series were widely panned, and it appears that Apple was well aware of this feedback, as the material is no longer offered for iPhone 16 cases just a year later. It is unclear if Apple will come up with a new solution.

Powerbeats Pro

Powerbeats Pro Original
Apple this month quietly discontinued the Powerbeats Pro, around five and a half years after the wireless earbuds launched.

Powerbeats Pro are a sportier, fitness-focused alternative to AirPods Pro with built-in, adjustable ear hooks for a secure fit. Key features of the original Powerbeats Pro include the H1 chip that debuted in the AirPods 2, IPX4-rated sweat and water resistance, up to nine hours of battery life, and silicone ear tips with four size options.

In a short teaser video last month, Apple revealed that it will be launching new Powerbeats Pro 2 next year. The earbuds look similar to the original Powerbeats Pro, but they have a more vertical, slimmer design. MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris later discovered iOS 18 code revealing that the Powerbeats Pro 2 will feature heart rate monitoring during workouts, and gain support for Active Noise Cancellation, Spatial Audio, and Adaptive Audio.

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Top Rated Comments

Rayansb Avatar
20 weeks ago

I found a heavily discounted FineWoven case for my 15 Pro, bought it out of curiosity to see how truly terrible it is. After 2 days use there was already a circle on the back from charging it via magsafe that doesn’t seem to go away, and after 2 weeks the edge of the fabric where it meets the sides is a slightly darker colour than the rest of the back.
by far one of Apple's worst products. I can't believe that garbage even passed preliminary quality testing.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Doomtomb Avatar
20 weeks ago
I'm not encouraging that they bring back the SuperDrive but I knew this day would come. HOLD ON TO YOURS.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dr McKay Avatar
20 weeks ago
I found a heavily discounted FineWoven case for my 15 Pro, bought it out of curiosity to see how truly terrible it is. After 2 days use there was already a circle on the back from charging it via magsafe that doesn’t seem to go away, and after 2 weeks the edge of the fabric where it meets the sides is a slightly darker colour than the rest of the back.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
icanhazmac Avatar
20 weeks ago
I wish they had updated the SuperDrive in its later years. Yes, you can buy cheap drives on Amazon but you tend to get what you pay for.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Marzzz Avatar
20 weeks ago
My Superdrive still works, but I gotta admit i don't use it much anymore.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
russell_314 Avatar
20 weeks ago

by far one of Apple's worst products. I can't believe that garbage even passed preliminary quality testing.
Now all they sell are $50 plastic cases…. You know those are so much better for the environment than leather ?

Unfortunately after them making so much hoopla about discontinuing leather I don’t see Apple making any quality cases in the future
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)