The next major update for iPhone and iPad (iOS 17 and iPad OS 17) is scheduled to arrive sometime in fall 2023. However, not all models of Apple phones and tablets will be able to download and play it.’ Which pushes them a little more towards fateful obsolescence.
It’s the same story every year. Apple announces its new update for iPhone and iPad and every time some devices fail to make the cut.
iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 are no exception to this trend. Each update always brings a lot of new features that older models sometimes can no longer support because they lack the necessary components to run them properly.
iPhones and iPads that cannot install iOS 17 and iPadOS 17
It is the very credible MacRumors site that gained the trust of an Apple employee regarding the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 update who would have trusted the iPhone and iPad models that fail to download and install the next major update.
Almost all iPhones and iPads with the A11 Bionic Chip (or older models) cannot install the update.
Specifically, here are the iPhone and iPad models that fail to install iOS 17 and iPadOS 17:
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8Plus
- iPhone X
- iPad 5th generation
- iPad Pro 9.7″ 1st generation
- iPad Pro 12.9″ 1st generation
Alone some iPad models equipped with a chip that predates the A10 will exceptionally be able to install iPadOS 17. These are the models:
- iPad 6th generation
- iPad 7th generation
- iPad Pro 10.5″ 2nd generation
- iPad Pro 12.9″ 2nd generation
How do I recognize my iPhone and iPad model?
To find out which iPhone or iPad model you have, you need:
We can then see what exact model of iPhone and iPad we have.
Will my iPhone and iPad become obsolete?
This iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 update information stays in the spectrum of rumors. We’ll know specifically which devices are compatible or not on June 5th during Apple’s WWDC. Nevertheless, we know that every year there are models that no longer follow the parade of updates.
So if our iPhone or iPad can no longer install the new update, does that mean they are out of date?
The quick answer is: no.
Specifically, this does not mean that our iPhone or iPad stops working overnight. We can very well keep using it with an older version of iOS or iPadOS, sometimes for a few years.
On the other hand, what is certain is that in the end it pushes them somewhat towards obsolescence insofar as we no longer receive security updates (except for serious exceptions).
Also, over time, our apps sometimes require a minimum version of iOS or iPadOS to be updated. Over time, our apps require iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to update themselves.
This is when our phone or tablet becomes a bit obsolete as it starts to no longer run applications properly or at all.
Luckily it will take some time to get there.