Apple’s reputation for long-term software support is practically unmatched in the smartphone industry. While Android manufacturers often provide just three to four years of updates, Apple routinely supports iPhones for five to seven years—sometimes even longer. But nothing lasts forever, and with the rollout of iOS 17 in 2023 and iOS 18 in 2024, a fresh wave of older models has officially been cut off.
If you’re still clinging to an iPhone 8, iPhone X, or even an iPhone XS, you might be wondering: How much longer can I expect my device to function safely and efficiently? And if you’re using a newer iPhone, how long do you have before you’re in the same boat?
Let’s break it all down—historical patterns, recent changes, and what Apple’s future support cycle might look like.
Apple’s Track Record: How Long Do iPhones Get iOS Updates?
If you’ve followed Apple for a while, you know they play the long game with software updates. Back in the early days of the iPhone, updates were fairly limited.
- The Original iPhone (2007) and iPhone 3G (2008) saw just two major iOS updates before Apple left them behind.
- By the time the iPhone 4s (2011) rolled around, Apple had settled into a more generous five-year update cycle.
- Then came the iPhone 6s (2015), the undisputed champion of longevity—it got a record-breaking seven system updates, from iOS 9 to iOS 15.
In recent years, Apple has generally stuck to this 5-7 year update window, but hardware advancements and software demands are starting to shift the balance. As AI-driven features and on-device machine learning become integral to iOS, some older iPhones—no matter how well-built—just don’t have the processing power to keep up.
That brings us to today.
The iOS 17 & 18 Cutoff: Which iPhones Are Now Unsupported?
With iOS 17 in 2023, Apple dropped support for the iPhone 8 and iPhone X—both released in 2017. That means those devices will never see another major operating system update.
Then came iOS 18 in 2024, which continued this trend by potentially marking the final update for the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max.
To visualize Apple’s update pattern, the Statista infographic on iOS compatibility tells the full story. Over the years, we’ve seen devices get phased out like clockwork, typically when they hit the five- or six-year mark. The key takeaway? If your iPhone is from 2017 or earlier, it’s officially time to start thinking about an upgrade.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s no longer supported:
- iOS 17 (2023) Dropped: iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X.
- iOS 18 (2024) May Be the Last Update For: iPhone XR, XS, XS Max.
Why does Apple do this? It’s not just about pushing new hardware. Each iOS version introduces power-hungry features like real-time language translation, AI-enhanced Siri, and pro-level camera optimizations—things that require the latest A-series chips to function smoothly.
How Long Will the iPhone 15 & iPhone 16 Series Be Supported?
Now, if you’re rocking an iPhone 15 or iPhone 16, you’re in a safe zone—for now.
- iPhone 15 Series (Released 2023) should see updates until at least 2029-2030.
- iPhone 16 Series (Released 2024) could last through 2030-2031.
Apple has every reason to extend support for these models, given that the latest A17 Pro and upcoming A18 chips are designed to handle AI-intensive computing and future iOS optimizations.
But here’s the catch: Apple is accelerating its software demands.
- Dynamic Island? Introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro, and is now standard on all iPhone 15 models.
- Apple Intelligence? AI features are expected to be heavily integrated into iOS 18 and iOS 19.
- Security Overhauls? New encryption and authentication methods require more powerful processors.
The writing is on the wall: future iOS updates will demand more from your hardware than ever before.
What Happens When an iPhone Loses Support?
So, your iPhone is no longer eligible for updates. What now? Here’s what you need to watch out for:
1. Security Risks Will Pile Up
Apple does release occasional security patches for older devices, but eventually, they stop. That means hackers actively target unsupported iPhones because they know vulnerabilities won’t be fixed.
2. App Compatibility Will Decline
It might not happen overnight, but within 1-2 years, you’ll notice popular apps stop working or require a newer operating system to update. That’s when everyday tasks—banking, messaging, streaming—become frustrating.
3. Performance Will Take a Hit
Even if your iPhone physically works fine, its older chipset and battery degradation will struggle to handle new apps and web technologies. Things will slow down. Battery life will suffer.
4. Resale Value Drops Significantly
Once an iPhone stops getting updates, trade-in values plummet. If you’re still holding onto an older iPhone, resale prices are already at rock bottom.
5. Older Cases May Not Fit Newer Models
Apple tweaks design elements with almost every iPhone release—camera bumps grow, buttons shift, and dimensions change just enough to make old cases obsolete. If you’re upgrading, don’t expect your old cases to fit.
Final Thoughts
Apple’s support cycle is among the best in the industry, but eventually, every iPhone reaches the end of the road. With iOS 17 and 18, we’ve seen another wave of older models lose support, and in the next couple of years, we’ll likely see the iPhone XR, XS, and even the iPhone 11 series follow suit.
If you’re using a newer iPhone 15 or 16, you’re in the clear for now—but Apple’s growing reliance on AI and computational power suggests that future iOS versions may demand more from devices than ever before.
So, if your iPhone is still hanging on, is it time to upgrade—or are you willing to risk running an unsupported device?