Find out which iPhone models won't benefit from iOS 17. See the list here.
iOS 17 is scheduled to be available to iPhone users on September 18. The latest version of the software promises features like automatic voicemail transcription, NameDrop, and banners to customize the appearance of contacts in your address book, among other things.
However, these new features are not available to all users, as older phones do not support the update. Read on to find out which devices are compatible with the new system and what happens to devices that do not update.
Why are some phones no longer updating to iOS 17?
To ensure that iPhones support new updates, Apple has set a clear rule that only smartphones manufactured in the last five years will be updated. This is because older devices are out of date in terms of security and may no longer function satisfactorily, impacting the user experience. Similarly, the business strategy of not updating older devices encourages users to purchase newer models.
Which ones will be updated to iOS 17?
The following phones will receive the iOS 17 update.
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 13 Mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone XS
- iPhone SE (second generation and later)
- iPhone XS Max
Therefore, iPhone 8, 8 Plus and older phones are not compatible with iOS 17. For example, iPhone 6 and 7 models have already lost update support since iOS 16 last year.
What if my phone is not compatible with the new iOS?
Devices that are not compatible with the iOS 17 will continue to run on the older version of iOS 16. However, it does not receive any new features or security improvements and may be vulnerable to technical issues or attacks by criminals. Therefore, users are advised to plan to purchase a newer version of their device and always keep it updated when necessary.
iOS 17 Features
Apple's new system promises to bring several new features to users. Check out some of them below.
NameDrop
This is a new AirDrop feature included in the iOS 17 update list. This tool allows mobile users to share their contact files (emails and phone numbers). The main difference is that you can use both devices side by side to perform these actions quickly. NameDrop allows you to listen to music on both devices at the same time with SharePlay.
Additionally, you can stop sharing files even if the devices are not nearby. After all, they continue to be transmitted over the Internet.
Contact poster
One fun feature included in the iOS 17 update is the Contacts Poster. You can customize the look of your contacts, add photos, avatars, new colors, emojis, and personalize their names.
The custom screen appears to contacts you call who have an Apple phone and can be customized with the Poster feature. Additionally, this tool also works with third-party calling apps.
Standby Mode
Among the features added in the new iOS update is standby mode. This new tool allows you to turn your Apple smartphone into a smart desk clock when not in use and in landscape mode.
This means users can get information about the weather, upcoming events, photos, or interactive widgets. Plus, when your phone is charged with MagSafe, it will always remember your preferred view and display it in standby mode. With an always-on display, iPhone 14 Pro users can see new updates without any additional customization.
