iPadOS 18 Rumored to Drop Support for These iPad Models

[FeliApple]

My own acceptance of iOS updates is much lower.

The 9.7-inch iPad Pro and 10.5-inch iPad Pro (and their larger counterparts, so 1st and 2nd-gen) should’ve been dropped on iOS 10, so this is long overdue.

Both of these models have already been obliterated. Apple pushes too far. The 6th-gen iPad should’ve been left on iOS 12, too. It runs flawlessly there.

 

[Mother Nature]

It's weird already that the iPad with the A10 is still fully up to date, showing the A10 could have done it, but the iPhone 7 with the A10 was dropped two full OS's ago. Guess it's more based on last sales date than chip compatibility.

What about RAM?

 

[Mother Nature]

This was bound to happen considering iPadOS 17 supports A10 devices, while iOS 17 requires at least an A12 (which also shows that Apple could've easily supported iPhones as far back as the iPhone 7 with iOS 17).

Still, when I'm looking at how recent all the supposedly supported devices were released (base model as recent as 2020), I feel like OS support longevity is far from ideal, especially for a device like an iPad, which for many is simply a secondary device that's rarely upgraded. Apple doesn't have to include every new (AI) feature for every iPad, but having an up-to-date Safari (as it's still tied to the OS) and support for the latest SDK versions so developers don't have to keep their apps compatible with legacy iOS would go a long way.

Please, stop pretending that an upgrade is all about the SOC, RAM and NPU also determine upgrade posibilities.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Strange to drop the 10,5 pro but not the 10.5 air. The pro has more memory than the Air.

The 3rd Gen Air 10.5 has an NPU in the A12 Bionic in it.

 

[Zdigital2015]

I really wish Apple was better at making sure a supported OS doesn't wreck a device's usability. I have an old iPad Mini 4, and kept updating it as long as it would allow. iPadOS 15 absolutely murdered it, and it's absurdly slow now. Up to some point (iPadOS 14 maybe?) it was still zippy and responsive. Still keep it around for the kid to watch cartoons, but it's not usable for much beyond that.

The iPad mini wasn’t the second class citizen back then that it is today. I think they tested, found it would work and then just decided not to waste any time optimizing iOS 15 for the device’s unique needs. Mine runs like a snail as well and needs a new battery. I can’t justify a mini anymore though, so I just live with the mini 4 and use it for very light duty.

 

[Digitalguy]

I really wish Apple was better at making sure a supported OS doesn't wreck a device's usability. I have an old iPad Mini 4, and kept updating it as long as it would allow. iPadOS 15 absolutely murdered it, and it's absurdly slow now. Up to some point (iPadOS 14 maybe?) it was still zippy and responsive. Still keep it around for the kid to watch cartoons, but it's not usable for much beyond that.

Nom it was up to iPadOS 13, 14 did murder it, mine is on 14 and it has become slow AF. Until 13 it was fine.

 

[FeliApple]

The iPad mini wasn’t the second class citizen back then that it is today. I think they tested, found it would work and then just decided not to waste any time optimizing iOS 15 for the device’s unique needs. Mine runs like a snail as well and needs a new battery. I can’t justify a mini anymore though, so I just live with the mini 4 and use it for very light duty.

Apple obliterates every device though, not just the mini. Flagship iPhones have repeatedly been obliterated by the final updates (and in most cases, many updates before that).

It’s just standard practice by them. Keep iOS devices outdated or accept it, no other choice, sadly.

 

[Digitalguy]

I bet the 2019 iPad with A10 (iPad 7) will be supported, regardless of A10X, as Apple has always given at least 6 years of support to base iPads and it would only get 5 if they don't give it iPadOS 18.

 

[XboxEvolved]

Interesting that it isn't supporting the 7th gen iPad, it's effectively just skipping over it. I expected this to be the last gen it could run on but interesting if true. I think this could even effectively mean Apple skips over some phone generations, such as my phone lol.

 

[ignatius345]

Apple obliterates every device though, not just the mini. Flagship iPhones have repeatedly been obliterated by the final updates (and in most cases, many updates before that).

It’s just standard practice by them. Keep iOS devices outdated or accept it, no other choice, sadly.

Macs too. At some point the shiny new features are too taxing for older hardware. If they were more careful about it, maybe there would be a way to let you download the newer OS but with certain features dialed down or held back to keep the whole thing from seizing up.

 

[Moukee]

Please, stop pretending that an upgrade is all about the SOC, RAM and NPU also determine upgrade posibilities.

And they support 2 GB iPads with iPadOS 17, but not 2 GB iPhones. The "NPU" is part of the SoC, so it's identical between iPhone and iPad as long as the SoC is. Also, why would you need a faster NPU if the new AI features aren't made available on older devices?

 

[Digitalguy]

Please, stop pretending that an upgrade is all about the SOC, RAM and NPU also determine upgrade posibilities.

Not only that but simply the year of release...

 

[mevans7]

I’m running ipad os 15 on my Air 2. Got my money’s worth!

 

[Digitalguy]

I’m running ipad os 15 on my Air 2. Got my money’s worth!

I have a Lenovo tablet from 2014 running Android 5... Still works fine, vast majority of apps still work. No security has not been an issue for essentialy streaming and using it as a monitor. Definitely got my money worth and plan to keep it another 10 years (battery is still surprising good, although I don't use it often).

 

[FeliApple]

Macs too. At some point the shiny new features are too taxing for older hardware. If they were more careful about it, maybe there would be a way to let you download the newer OS but with certain features dialed down or held back to keep the whole thing from seizing up.

Yeah, but the difference is that on Macs you can at least go back. iOS devices are irreversibly obliterated forever.

 

[Yebubbleman]

iPadOS 18 will drop support for iPad models equipped with the A10X Fusion chip, according to a post on X today from a private account with a proven track record of sharing build numbers for upcoming iOS and iPadOS updates.

This means that iPadOS 18 would not be compatible with the first-generation 10.5-inch iPad Pro or the second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro models released in 2017. It almost certainly means that iPadOS 18 would drop support for iPad models powered by the regular A10 Fusion chip too, including the sixth-generation and seventh-generation iPads.

The post was spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, and it has since been deleted. However, this was likely because the account prefers to keep a low profile, and many of its previously-deleted posts contained accurate information.

If this rumor is accurate, iPadOS 18 would be compatible with the following iPad models:

• iPad Pro: 2018 and later
• iPad Air: 2019 and later
• iPad mini: 2019 and later
• iPad: 2020 and later

Apple is expected to announce iPadOS 18 at its annual developers conference WWDC in June, and the update should be released to all users with a compatible iPad in September. So far, key new features rumored for the update include new generative AI functionality for Siri and more, and RCS support in the Messages app.

The same source also expects iOS 18 to be compatible with the same iPhone models as iOS 17.

Article Link: iPadOS 18 Rumored to Drop Support for These iPad Models

So, Apple is finally dropping A10 Fusion and A10X Fusion. Not surprising. Though, for some reason I was anticipating that the extra 1GB of RAM on the 7th Generation iPad would set itself apart from the 6th Generation iPad (in terms of system requirements for an iPadOS release) at some point. So, now, with iOS/iPadOS 18, it'll be A12 based at the minimum. The standard A12 was in the 8th Generation iPad, 5th Generation iPad mini, 3rd Generation iPad Air, iPhone Xr, iPhone Xs, and iPhone Xs Max. That'll be a bit of a loss when A12 finally gets the axe. A12X/Z would be the 3rd and 4th Generation 12.9-inch iPad Pros and the 1st and 2nd Generation 11-inch iPad Pros. Assuming the X/Z variants didn't have a stay of execution at that point, Apple dropping A12-based stuff from iOS and iPadOS will leave A LOT of devices out in the cold...

Am happy my XR, 5th Gen mini, and 3rd Gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro seem to have more time!

 

[Tronic]

I think the author meant “and earlier…” since “later” would imply up to current day.

 

[svish]

Good to see the 2018 iPad Pro in the list. But very possible that some of the newer features may work only on iPads with M series chip.

 

[mlody]

I guess, my family will have 1 more device on hands that will not take the latest OS. First it was MacBook Pro Retina 13, Early 2015, next iMac 4K, 21.5k 2017 and now iPad Air 3 will end up on the list.
I guess it is time to start looking for some refurbs to replace these systems with M1 equivalent devices

 

[oldmacs]

Apple doesn't base software support on what will run, it bases software support on what the money misers at Apple say to do.

 

[rembert]

Ah well… my old iPad-4 with the A6x processor still functions well. Still on the original battery. Running iOS 10.

Now about Apple’s environmental responsibilities: if a company is that good with building hardware, it should maintain that hardware for a way longer time than is the standard today. Yes, you’ll miss out on many new features but the basic functionality remains. As this iPad didn’t receive a single security update for 7 years, I don’t dare to do any financial work on it like banking. From an environmental perspective I’d really like companies such as Apple to provide at least security updates for as long as it’s necesary - we know Apple can easily monitor the usage statistics.
Actually, I should have some iPad-1 somewhere, still waiting for a jailbreak so I can install Linux or something. Yes, this iPad is also as if it’s new.

If Apple would maintain such devices way longer, it also makes more sense to recycle old iPads to those who cannot afford a new one. I’d be happy to give mine away but only of I’m certain of its security. Now it’s actually only fit for the shredder - a shame and it hurts.

 

[Alex Cai]

Really Apple?
My iPad Pro 10.5 runs like a tank and it’s outdated?
Just not include some AI features and some performance required features but leave the 10.5 Pro in the list. I hate to see such a marvelous device get outdated when it is completely useable.

 

[hajime]

A10 chip is being dropped on ios 18

Why? I don't see any reason other than Tim wanting us to buy a new one.

 

[tipoo]

What about RAM?

The iPhone 7 Pro had 3GB as well, as did the iPhone 8 Pro and iPhone X dropped with iOS16

Somehow the A10 with 3GB keeps going on iPadOS 17. Seems it wasn't a hardware limit on the iPhones, more an age cutoff.

 

[jimimac71]

I purchased my iPad 7 in 2021 refurbished. So I lost 2 years of use.
For me the experience is just like Android, 3 OS updates.
Even so, getting 5 years of updates from Apple is lame.
MS is doing the same thing with millions of Windows computers, cutting them off at 2018.
I have a 2016 Roku Stick that is almost EOL.
Not so bad for a $50 device, but all these other products cost hundreds of dollars.
Spending more doesn't always mean getting longer access to updates.
If only I could get a handle on Linux. I could tell the other where to shove their lack of updates.