14.7.1 Forever!
It would take Apple making a version of iOS without the obnoxious App Library Ui & accompanying switcher that ruins the usability of the mini. It'd also mean putting out a version of the OS that doesn't add all the new resource hogging bloat every year, so that the device isn't irreversibly hobbled to a slug after updating. The original iPad Pro is still just as fast & efficient to use as it was when it was made IF you don't update it. And given their track record of wrecking workflows with sweeping, poorly executed Ui overhauls du jour, then as long as we have no way to downgrade our devices back from those unpleasant surprises, updating is never a risk worth taking.
They'd need to reconsider their business model to accommodate the hundreds of millions of iPads & phones they've sold us that didn't just wink out of existence as soon as 5 years is up. But prolonging their products lifecycle period only potentially makes them more money long-term with happier more dedicated customers and requires the expense of programming those updates for those devices, whereas cutting off support in shorter lifecycles cuts those costs and guarantees them more short-term money from all the upgraders that are used to throwing working devices in the trash and upgrading when they're told the magic words "vintage" or "obsolete".
Last edited:
