Older iPhones will only get the new iOS update for a limited
time before Apple decides to push them out to sea, and a report suggests which
devices may go into sunset when iOS 16 rolls out later this year.
This comes from a website called iDropNews, which was
written by a leaker named AppleLeaksPro with a limited track record. Taking the
information with a grain of salt, given the source, but given Apple's habits,
what is said makes sense.
Obviously, iOS 16 will not be compatible with the three
iPhones that have iOS 15 installed: they are the iPhone 6s, the iPhone 6S Plus,
and the original iPhone SE. The devices are from 2015, 2015, and 2016, so
they're pretty old.
Apple is dropping support for older iPhones with new iOS
versions because the older hardware doesn't have the features or room for the
new OS, which is also happening in the Android space. That's not to say Apple
will completely forget about these phones, because they still see weird
security updates, and they work just as well as they do -- you really don't
need the latest software.
This is only a temporary leak, so it doesn't mean these
phones will definitely disappear from Apple's hands. But AppleLeaksPro's
limited track record seems fairly accurate.
That's the only really reliable information this leak offers
- the leaker also confirmed its earlier claims about the super widget, noting
tweaks like a redesigned Music app and changes to quick actions to make it work
when the phone is locked Work.
Analysis:
You do not have to buy a new iPhone
If you own one of the above iPhones, we're assuming you're
not a techie - in which case you probably own a newer phone.
If that's true, then maybe this news won't affect you too
much. If you don't care about having the coolest and latest thing, whether it's
new gadgets or software, you don't need iOS 16.
This new version of Apple's software is unlikely to set the
world on fire, as it may only bring tweaks and changes that might not affect
your phone experience at all. If your device is working fine now, it will continue
to do so.
This is especially the case, as Apple may roll out security
updates to these devices for a period of time, which should deter bad actors
from taking advantage of your technological age to better infiltrate them.
Of course, if your phone is more than six years old, you
might want to check out our list of the best iPhones at some point, because
technology doesn't last forever. But if you're currently happy with your phone,
you don't really need to upgrade it.
