In Short
- Apple is said to drop software support for three iPhones in 2023.
- The iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X may not get iOS 17 update.
- Three old iPads will also reportedly lose software support from Apple.
By Ankita GargApple will introduce its latest iOS 17 software version at its upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which will take place on June 5. While we are still two months away from the event, a report from MacRumors claims that the tech giant has plans to drop software support for as many as six devices. Here is everything we know so far.
The cited source claims that the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X won’t receive the upcoming iOS version. The first-generation iPad Pro 9.7-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch, or the fifth-generation iPad might not also get the iPadOS 17 update.
These iPhones and iPads could lose support for software updates because of obvious reasons. They are pretty old now and Apple can only offer support to aged units up to a certain time period because new features and additions require the latest hardware among other things. The above-mentioned devices were announced between November 2015 and November 2017.
The iOS 17 is expected to bring some of the useful features. Apple is expected to add support for sideloading of apps and third-party app stores as the European Legislation requires the company to do so starting in 2024. The tech giant is also said to add widgets and support for multiple displays in terms of CarPlay updates. The new version is also tipped to focus more on stability and efficiency. Apple won’t reportedly make much of a change in the visual appearance of the new software version.
A report from Bloomberg claimed that Apple plans to offer the most requested features to iPhone users with the release of iOS 17. But, the source didn’t go into detail as to what could be those features. We will have more information on the upcoming iOS version in the coming weeks as we inch closer to Apple’s developer conference.
The list of devices that are likely eligible for the latest iOS 17 software update is iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 12 Pro series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 13 Pro series, iPhone 14 series, and iPhone 14 Pro series, as per the cited source.
Last year, Apple announced that it would stop releasing major updates for devices such as iPhone 6a, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, original iPhone SE model, final iPod touch, second generation iPad Air, and four-generation iPad mini.
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