Key Takeaways
- iOS 18 will help iPhone fashions way back to iPhone SE (2nd gen) however not all options can be found on all units because of {hardware} limitations.
- Some iOS 18 options like Apple Intelligence and Messages through satellite tv for pc are solely out there on sure iPhone fashions.
- Apple might drop compatibility for older units ranging from iOS 19, doubtlessly affecting iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max customers.
A significant query with any smartphone nowadays is how lengthy you possibly can anticipate to get updates. That often determines how lengthy a cellphone will stay related — not simply by way of options, but additionally safety, bugfixes, and preserving efficiency easy. Rightfully, we anticipate a $1,000 machine to final greater than a yr or two.
Apple has a historical past of supporting its merchandise longer than most tech firms. With iOS 18 upon us although, some fashions are being lower off. Is your iPhone nonetheless suitable?
Which iPhones work with iOS 18?
iOS 18 ought to work with the next units
- iPhone 16/16 Plus/16 Pro/16 Pro Max (coming September 2024)
- iPhone 15/15 Plus/15 Professional/15 Professional Max
- iPhone 14/14 Plus/14 Professional/14 Professional Max
- iPhone 13/13 mini/13 Professional/13 Professional Max
- iPhone 12/12 mini/12 Professional/12 Professional Max
- iPhone 11/11 Professional/11 Professional Max
- iPhone XS/XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (second technology or later)
Does each iPhone get the identical iOS 18 options?
Sadly not
Apple
No, sadly. The largest division includes Apple Intelligence, a slate of generative AI instruments. These require a minimum of an A17 Professional processor, discovered within the iPhone 15 Pro and Professional Max. Even the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are incompatible, although Apple ought to help the know-how on each iPhone 16 and the rumored fourth-generation iPhone SE.
There are different gaps. Messages through satellite tv for pc is proscribed to the iPhone 14, 15, and 16 lineups, since solely they’ve the required broadcast know-how. You will additionally want an iPhone 12 or later for eye monitoring and dwell audio transcriptions, and an iPhone 11 for hands-free Home Key management. One other accessibility function — Music Haptics — requires an iPhone 12 or third-gen iPhone SE.
Some options are being restricted to explicit nations and/or languages, initially. Apple Intelligence, for instance, is at the moment restricted to US English, although its attain ought to develop in coming months.
Apple Intelligence is at the moment restricted to US English solely.
What about iPads and iPods?
iPads have a separate iPadOS 18 replace. You will be forgiven for any confusion — iPadOS is basically only a fork of iOS with tablet-specific options, akin to multitasking and a much bigger dock. Regardless of complaints, Apple nonetheless hasn’t opened up iPads to make them as practical as Macs.
As for iPods, these have not obtained a significant iOS replace since 2021’s iOS 15. The corporate has solely issued bug and safety patches since then, the latest being iOS 15.8.3 in July 2024. Apple now not makes or sells iPods, whilst refurbished items. They seem to be a sufferer of the iPhone’s success.
Will iOS 18 units nonetheless work with iOS 19?
We do not know for positive, however there’s good likelihood iOS 19 will lower off the very oldest units that work with iOS 18. Meaning the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, all three of which date again to 2018. The corporate might shock us and maintain its compatibility checklist unchanged, however these telephones can generally battle with iOS 17, by no means thoughts something later. Apple may additionally need to reserve its help groups for the units most clients use — it is unlikely there are lots of individuals hanging on to an XR.
FAQ
Q: How do I do know which iPhone or iOS model I’ve?
If you cannot keep in mind, open the Settings app and navigate to Normal -> About. You will see not simply your mannequin title and iOS model, however different particulars, like your cellphone’s serial quantity.
Q: Why does Apple cease supporting older iPhones?
The ostensible cause is efficiency. Older iPhones have slower processors and fewer RAM, which implies they can not run some software program nicely or in any respect. You would not need to trouble with augmented actuality on an iPhone 5, as an illustration.
There are different potential motivations although, akin to reining in help prices. Coding and testing for various iPhone fashions takes work, and it most likely makes extra sense to have engineers engaged on the iPhones most clients at the moment personal.
Apple additionally presumably desires to nudge individuals in the direction of shopping for new iPhones ultimately, although it is doubtless that help prices are a much bigger issue.
Trending Merchandise
