Questionable Rumor Suggests iOS 13 Will Drop Compatibility for iPhone 5s Through iPhone 6s [Updated]

[Abazigal]

From my personal POV I'm still running 11 on my 10.5" iPP and I'm not missing anything at all (other than the new hideous gestures and control centre). If 13 is another snoozefest with unnecessary iPhone X parity tricks, I'm sticking to 11.

iOS 11 slowed down my 9.7" iPad Pro to the point where I practically leaped on the iOS 12 public beta just for the performance improvements. It was so bad that at one point, simply launching notability would cause me to lose connection with my Apple TV.

I see no reason why you wouldn't upgrade to iOS 12. Even if your iPad technically has the horsepower to spare to bulldoze its way through any inefficiencies in iOS 11, why say no to free performance improvements?

 

[YaBe]

People who see this as a mischievous plan are inconsiderate of the difficulty that comes from maintaining support for so many devices, and having features that those devices can run without being strained by processing power / screen size.

Yes people complain about the exact thing (about support being dropped on older less capable devices) when they speak about Android, and trust me, Google has WAAAAAAY more combination of HW to deal with, and they seem to manage quite fine.

Enough with Major update, update the core apps as Android does, let people run the latest software on older core system (you can run the latest app even on Android 4.4) and you solve part of the issue.

 

[31 Flavas]

How else would Apple get people to pay for their overpriced garbage when their old phones are working perfectly fine and surely can handle this update no problem? Typical of today's Apple.

Why would customers need to update their phones in the first place? Apple replaced the batteries in their phone for $29 and released iOS 12 without planned obsolesance. Not only that, but Apple is continuing to sell brand new iPhone SE at $250 / $300.

Even if it’s true they’re going to exclude the 5s to 6s from iOS 13 — oh no, that means those phones miss out on the re-introduction of Planned Obsolesance. Whatever will those phone owners do? *roll eyes*

Just contune using their perfectly usable phones that have new batteries?

Woe be unto them!!!

 

[Supermacguy]

People are talking like it already September and iOS 13 is already out.
It’s a rumour guys. Save your outrage for the fall.

We need to get ahead of the curve so Apple can hear that we don't want support dropped for [insert phone model]!

I bought an SE just last year and I want and expect to get many years out of it!

 

[Val-kyrie]

This is great news for folks trying to keep their older hardware going for longer. This way they can escape the ravages of Apple's software engineers optimizing their latest OS to their latest hardware.

I would rather keep my SE on an optimized version of iOS 12 than be forced to upgrade to an OS that slows down my phone.

 

[otternonsense]

iOS 11 slowed down my 9.7" iPad Pro to the point where I practically leaped on the iOS 12 public beta just for the performance improvements. It was so bad that at one point, simply launching notability would cause me to lose connection with my Apple TV.

I see no reason why you wouldn't upgrade to iOS 12. Even if your iPad technically has the horsepower to spare to bulldoze its way through any inefficiencies in iOS 11, why say no to free performance improvements?

Like I said, because hideous iPhone X parity tricks.
- I like having the time in the middle of the screen
- Multitasking and control centre in a single view makes more sense to me
- I don't like the new "X-ish" gestures at all. I don't have a gen X phone, I'm not familiar with the gestures or invoking the control centre from the top, and I don't like it. In fact, I find it quite insidious of Apple to shoehorn them into older iPads just for habit building with the newer devices.
- Performance with 11.4.1 really is just fine

 

[Abazigal]

Like I said, because hideous iPhone X parity tricks.
- I like having the time in the middle of the screen
- Multitasking and control centre in a single view makes more sense to me
- I don't like the new "X-ish" gestures at all. I don't have a gen X phone, I'm not familiar with the gestures or invoking the control centre from the top, and I don't like it. In fact, I find it quite insidious of Apple to shoehorn them into older iPads just for habit building with the newer devices.
- Performance with 11.4.1 is just fine

For control centre, I guess the feedback was that people didn't like exposing their entire multitasking history just to turn on rotation lock or something. I am probably an edge case, but because I teach in the classroom with my iPad mirrored via an Apple TV, I prefer having control centre as its own standalone feature.

I am not sure why the time was moved away from the centre either. The new iPad Pros turned out to not have any notches anyways, so this seemed to have been done simply to maintain consistency with iPhones.

 

[31 Flavas]

We need to get ahead of the curve so Apple can hear that we don't want support dropped for [insert phone model]!

I bought an SE just last year and I want and expect to get many years out of it!

If you become “abandoned” on iOS 12 - oh woe is you. It’s a terrific OS for that phone.

And if iOS 13 is a turd, then don't upgrade.

 

[otternonsense]

For control centre, I guess the feedback was that people didn't like exposing their entire multitasking history just to turn on rotation lock or something. I am probably an edge case, but because I teach in the classroom with my iPad mirrored via an Apple TV, I prefer having control centre as its own standalone feature.

I am not sure why the time was moved away from the centre either. The new iPad Pros turned out to not have any notches anyways, so this seemed to have been done simply to maintain consistency with iPhones.

I doubt the control centre switch was based on user feedback or research. As with the time indicator, the only motive seems to be consistency with the X. Which, again, I find super insidious, because most customers are using TouchID iPhones and the X-R-S userbase is yet to grow (especially in Europe).

 

[pika2000]

A7 devices being dropped is a sure thing. But A8 onwards will be supported. Apple still uses the A8 on the HomePod.

The challenge would be the iPhone 6/6 Plus. Their limitation is not the A8, but the RAM (only 1GB). As much as Apple “optimized” iOS 12, which flies on the 6S, the 6/6 Plus barely ran it well.

Also, I guess my iPad mini 2 will be facing its final year.

 

[Seifensieder]

When I recently talked to an Apple employee about repairing my iPhone 5s, he told me it would not receive the next iOS update.

 

[BuffaloTF]

MacRumours should refrain from reporting unverified rumours...

Wouldn't a verified rumor be, instead, a fact? MacFacts dot com?

 

[MrUNIMOG]

When I recently talked to an Apple employee about repairing my iPhone 5s, he told me it would not receive the next iOS update.

That was probably an educated guess. Everybody familiar with Apples history of supporting iOS devices would've told you so. If it is to be dropped with iOS 13, that's been a full 6 years of support.

 

[-Ray-]

MacRumours should refrain from reporting unverified rumours...

It wouldn't be a rumor then...

 

[MrUNIMOG]

I don't believe for one second that A9 devices will be dropped with iOS 13.

I can't imagine iPad mini 4, Air 2 or Apple TV 4th gen to be dropped either.
Perhaps iPhone 6, iPod touch 6th gen, as those only have 1 GB RAM, but even those I don't necessarily expect to be dropped, one more year seems not unlikely unless iOS 13 absolutely requires more RAM to run passably.

HomePod also has an A8 with probably at most 1 GB RAM but it seems a no-brainer that one won't be dropped this year...

 

[-Ray-]

People really do not understand the complexity of supporting legacy devices and complain when new software slows down their phone and then further complain about the lack of innovation at Apple.

While I agree that innovation has slowed, you cant have it all on a legacy device. 3-5 years is a long time in the mobile industry as every aspect of the products are constantly changing (battery technology, carrier services, network profiles, hardware requirements etc).

Apple isn't killing software upgrades because it wants to. Its doing it because it HAS to. In order for Apple to continue to innovate and release new features it needs to continuously overhaul the operating system to become more efficient and make use of added hardware. Its like fitting a school bus down a city alley. At some point, something has to give to make way.

You have four scenarios, pick your poison:

1) Upgrade and have it last another 3-5 years
2) Upgrade to new iOS and complain about decreased performance, app restrictions, decreased battery etc
3) Be stuck at iOS 12 and complain about no upgrades or features.
4) Enjoy your legacy device for what it was and not have to worry about wasted upgrade costs.

Go to Andriod. If your lucky you will get to enjoy your upgrades 6-12 months after they come out and each party involved adds their own flavor of bloatware.

 

[driveparty]

Highly unlikely due to apple warranty & lifetime policy for devices. Most devices declared lifetime, including iPhones & iPads is as long as 5 years. The lifetime period is counted off purchase date – not manufacturing or something else! Also, have in mind all those devices sold after next iPhone model announcement, refurbished & etc.
According to EU & several other countries' Consumer laws, this implies ability to fill in complaints & sue Apple for "considerable" or "substantial" defects. Should Apple drop support, it will inevitably lead to soon App Store disfunction, various bugs' vulnerabilities & etc., which is an easy grounds for such a consumer-related complaints.

 

[nordique]

We need to get ahead of the curve so Apple can hear that we don't want support dropped for [insert phone model]!

I bought an SE just last year and I want and expect to get many years out of it!

There's just no way they'll drop support for the A9

It's still one of the more powerful chips on the market despite being 3.5 years old

Plus as you mentioned, Apple always supports devices for a certain time after they've been on the market. It's why A5 devices seemingly force received iOS 9, because the mini was still in production the year prior

Never mind the A9, apple is still selling the mini 4 which has the A8. You can bet there's no way someone who buys a Mini 4 tomorrow won't be able to continue getting updates. It's just not how apple works

And to further the point of the A9, there is pretty much nothing the A9 cannot do that requires performance, that the A10 can do

 

[driveparty]

Apple isn't killing software upgrades because it wants to. Its doing it because it HAS to.

First, Apple is NOT yet doing anything like that. It's all in your weird & ugly dreams.

Next, according to their own warranty policy, they have obligations to support their devices during those lifetime period. Devices' lifetime is stated as long as 5 years and is counted from the device purchase date.

Finally, you seem to be an apple f...ng troll & I wish you the worse of luck )

 

[Xenomorph]

I could easily see the 5S and 6 getting dropped. Similar performance and 1GB RAM.

But the SE and 6S? No way.

 

[outskirtsofinfinity]

It wouldn't be a rumor then...

It would be an unquestionable rumour. The headline describes a questionable rumour. This is questionable to me.

 

[msp3]

Does this mean the iPad Pro 9.7 (A9x) is safe? If the cutoff ever became A9 maybe those of us with the iPad Pro 9.7 will be safe for another year at least...

 

[nburwell]

I wouldn't be surprised if this rumor is true. This is the new Apple and they want to get consumers to upgrade their (overpriced) iPhone's more frequently. Brilliant idea Tim and team.

 

[SeenJeen]

Next, according to their own warranty policy, they have obligations to support their devices during those lifetime period. Devices' lifetime is stated as long as 5 years and is counted from the device purchase date.

Apple has never stated in any of their documentation that device lifetime is "as long as 5 years from the purchase date."

iPad 1 had support for just 2 years.
Same with Apple Watch and iPhone 3G.

Apple drops support when they see fit.
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I could easily see the 5S and 6 getting dropped. Similar performance and 1GB RAM.

But the SE and 6S? No way.

Yep. I can see Apple dropping support for all 1GB devices. The time has come.
iPhone 6 should have never been released with 1GB. Classic Apple skimping out.

 

[seek3r]

More like they will drop any device that doesn't support Face ID and require High Sierra or higher to knock off older devices with headphone jack and older MBP and Mini and Pro desktops for new releases iOS devices.

The 8 and the 7 are still being sold new, and the 8 is being pitched as their current low end phone if you don't want to spend on the Xr but dont want to go super cheap on the 7, so I have serious doubts about the idea of them dropping anything that doesnt support Face ID

And honestly I doubt they'll drop the 6s and the SE also