iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

[macos9rules]

This is great! Companies should keep supporting older devices more often.

 

[RootFayel]

We love to see this Apple!

 

[Sami13496]

That iPhone 5S looks so beautiful. Small, thin, and without a camera bump. I’d take that form factor over today’s phones any day. Just put a full-screen display on the front and that would be it. A dream phone.

 

[deathnite]

I have an older iPad Air (2013) which just got iOS 12.5.8, but I wont be updating it.
I'm keeping this one on iOS 10.3.3, it's the last iOS which still supports 32bit apps. And I'm sure it will be slower on iOS 12.

I did update an iPhone 8+ to iOS 16.7.13 today.

 

[Reboo00oot]

with the worst battery life, thank God iPhone has better battery life now

Mine lasts all day.

 

[Reboo00oot]

Updates a root certificate so you can keep paying for their services.

I don't subscribe to any of their services.

 

[JosephAW]

Checked my iPhone 4S for updates and it only shows the old iOS 9.3.6 so I’ll stay on iOS 8.4.1
The only other iOS updates that were released were 12, 15, 16, 18, 26

 

[bzgnyc2]

What’s the next best phone manufacturer that updated this far out with new security? Pretty sure Apple is far ahead in this department and it’s a great achievement and service!

Note these aren't security fixes per-se. These are entire OS updates to pre-install root certificates so the devices can still reasonably access the internet. The phones wouldn't be bricked come next year without the update but pretty close.

I understand Android lets users install new root certificates through menus expressly created for this in the equivalent of Settings.

I believe (but have not tested) it is also possible to install new root certificates on iOS without installing the update but it doesn't appear as user friendly.

Nonetheless, the situation is what it is and appreciate Apple making available easy to install updates back to iOS 12 to get those users the new certificates.

 

[Andy_2341]

This makes me want a to go buy silver 5s off eBay again so bad! Such a beautiful phone design

 

[Avenged110]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, first I've heard anything about this. Are you telling me iMessage on any iOS 15 version prior to 15.8.6 is going to stop working in January 2027? Is this quiet little update for older devices Apple's way of informing those of us with newer devices that can't install it?

 

[Ja50n]

I'm glad to see old phones getting updates, but this seems like something Androids would get as an app update in the store, no OS revision needed, and would be completely unremarkable that the Galaxy S5 got an app update...

 

[luedriver]

iOS 12.5.8? I'm only seeing version 10.3.4 on iTunes

 

[transpo1]

Peak iPhone design.

I think peak was iPhone 4/4S. That was their most beautiful industrial design.

 

[Denzo]

Love this. I just bought the iphone 17 pro.. but I live for this commitment to tech! And the iPhone 5s was a great looking phone. Kudos to those using it still!

 

[justanotherdave]

I'm glad to see old phones getting updates, but this seems like something Androids would get as an app update in the store, no OS revision needed, and would be completely unremarkable that the Galaxy S5 got an app update...

Galaxy S5 only received 3 years of OS/security updates (the version it shipped with plus 2 additional years).

The iPhone 5S received 6 years of OS updates and an extra 4 years of security updates after that.

This update is trivial, but the 4 years of security updates it got aren’t. And yes, this chart needs updating.

 

[Frantisekj]

I think Tim Cook forgot he only cares about shareholders and profits. He should be forcing these people to buy new phones!

/s

He did but admitted that many resisted so need to tidy up ecosystem.

 

[LevorgPenmancho]

Upgrade that body with an edge to edge screen and new chip and I’ll buy. And no, don’t add a camera bump.

 

[bice]

Wow! Google would never!

True, but in all fairness I don't think you could run Android on those iphones in the first place.

 

[ghanwani]

That was peak iPhone. The shade of gold was perfect. The weight and feel was amazing. It's been downhill ever since and gathering momentum at this point.

 

[ghanwani]

Upgrade that body with an edge to edge screen and new chip and I’ll buy. And no, don’t add a camera bump.

I will buy it in the old form itself as long as the processor is updated. Heck I would even buy it with the old processor if Apple supports the version of iOS it was released with.

 

[fatdickie]

This is great! Companies should keep supporting older devices more often.

Well I don't think Android devices require device activation before you can use them? Androids also update phone, messages, etc. apps within the Play Store experience. So the equivalent of this iOS update wouldn't be necessary for older Android devices to keep them functional.

 

[platinumaqua]

What does that mean for 17.7.2? SOL after January 2027?

 

[Parowdy]

As much as people like to complain, there is no other phone manufacturer that comes close in software update longevity.

but but but planned obsolescence!
Honestly I believe there is still a very healthy iPhone 5s and 6 community in some parts of the world which Apple wants to keep, knowing they can't buy a new phone, but they sure can continue to pay for iCloud and other services.
I appreciate it whatever the motivation, no need to render operational phones useless just because a certificate stopped working.

 

[abcmax]

Apple also released new versions of iOS 18 and iOS 16.

They maybe have already released it, but the i(Pad)OS 18 update is still not available.

 

[Parowdy]

I think you'll find iMessage and FaceTime are free.

I think if those core features don't work anymore, people look for a new phone and in many parts of the world that's not going to be an iPhone. Apple just wants to keep paying customers, even if what they extend was free in the first place.
Im pretty certain Apple knows best who uses their devices and how to make money of them. And a phone that doesn't support core iPhone features won't be a used iPhone for long.