Share This Article
The upcoming iOS 17 operating system will be compatible with all iPhones that are capable of running iOS 16, according to a reliable source with alleged contacts within Apple. This contradicts a recent rumor suggesting that iOS 17 will drop support for iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. iPadOS 17 was also rumored to drop support for the first-generation 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the fifth-generation iPad.
However, a reputable leaker has countered these rumors, claiming that they are “simply incorrect”. The anonymous user, who previously accurately revealed the Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models ahead of their official launch, posted on the MacRumors forum that all iPhones that support iOS 16 will also support iOS 17, including all devices powered by A11 chipsets i.e. iPhone X, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.
This source is said to have a “man inside” Apple’s development team who occasionally reveals hardware details about upcoming iPhone models if the physical features require software development to complement them. If their latest claim is accurate, it would not be the first time that Apple has maintained the same list of compatible devices between major iOS releases.
iOS 15, for example, is compatible with all devices that can run iOS 14, although some iOS 15 features are not available on older iPhones. In contrast, iOS 16 dropped support for some older devices, including the iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPod touch, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus.
It’s worth noting that dropping support for iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus would make logical sense, given that these models are now five years old. This is an elapsed timeframe previously used by Apple to drop software support for some earlier devices.
Related articles
- Apple Executive Doug Beck Departs for Full-Time DoD Position
- Users with Older Apple Devices Will Lose Access to Most Services
They are also the only iPhones powered by the A11 chip, which is vulnerable to a bootrom jailbreaking exploit that Apple is unable to patch. However, it remains unclear whether Tuesday’s rumor was the result of pure extrapolation along these lines.
As with all rumors, it’s essential to take this information with a grain of salt. We won’t know for sure until June 5, the date that Apple is expected to announce iOS 17 at WWDC. Unless the latest rumor is corroborated by another source within the next two months, we’ll simply have to wait and see if it’s accurate.