Apple is predicted to debut iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 at WWDC 2023 later this yr, and a brand new leak has seemingly revealed which iPhones and iPads will (and received’t) be supported by the upcoming software program updates.
In keeping with a MacRumors (opens in new tab) supply “with a confirmed monitor file,” iOS 17 will drop assist for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, whereas iPadOS 17 will shun the first-generation iPad Professional (each the 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch fashions) and fifth-generation iPad. All six gadgets had been launched between November 2015 and November 2017.
If the rumor rings true, Apple could have dropped assist for nearly all gadgets operating the A11 Bionic chip or older with its subsequent main software program updates. The sixth- and seventh-generation iPad, in addition to the second-generation iPad Professional (each the ten.5-inch and 12.9-inch fashions) will reportedly be exceptions to the rule.
The information doesn’t come as a lot of a shock, thoughts. Apple routinely drops assist for older gadgets with each re-creation of iOS and iPadOS – the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7 and iPad Air 2 had been among the many fashions left behind by iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, as an example – however it’s onerous to listen to that the likes of the iPhone X will quickly be outmoded.
In fact, these gadgets received’t abruptly turn out to be redundant with the discharge of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The newest iOS and iPadOS updates ought to maintain them ticking alongside properly for a number of years but – Apple is thought for offering higher assist to older gadgets than most Android producers to theirs, lest we overlook – however these iPhones and iPads received’t profit from any main OS overhauls that Apple has within the pipeline for the long run.
iOS 17: what to anticipate
As for what options Apple’s subsequent updates might be bringing to the desk, we now know that iOS 17 might be an even bigger iPhone replace than we first thought.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had previously reported (opens in new tab) that improvement on the Apple VR headset would result in “fewer main modifications” for iOS 17, however the seasoned Apple skilled has since claimed (opens in new tab) that the upcoming replace will really present a number of of customers’ “most requested options.”
So, whereas it’s unlikely that iOS 17 will reinvent the expertise of utilizing the perfect iPhones, we do count on to see a spread of great updates supplied to current iPhone options and apps, like CarPlay, Siri and Messages.
As for issues we’d like to see launched with iOS 17, our seven needs for iOS 17 information comprises requires a redesigned Management Middle, common battery widgets and higher picture-in-picture controls.
As talked about, Apple is all however sure to debut iOS 17 at its annual WWDC developer convention in June, with the replace anticipated to start rolling out to customers someday in September, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 15 line.
