Apple this week finally unveiled iOS 16 and not everyone is thrilled. Although iOS 16 introduces a slew of new features, not all iPhone users will be able to enjoy them. With iOS 16, the list of supported devices only includes the iPhone 8 and models released afterward. In other words, iPhone 7, iPhone 6S, and original iPhone SE owners are out of luck.
The fact that Apple dropped support for these iPhone models is arguably surprising. Note that iOS 15 supported iPhone models going back to the iPhone 6S and iPhone SE. This year, Apple dropped support for not one, but two generations of iPhone: the 2015 iPhone 6S and the 2016 iPhone 7. And even though these devices are about seven years old, and even though their user base isn’t too high, impacted users are none too happy about being phased out.
iPhone 7 owners are upset
Apple traditionally does a great job of supporting older iPhone models when it releases a new iteration of iOS. Especially compared to some Android manufacturers, Apple puts a lot of work into ensuring that its next-gen software can run on devices that are years old. But at a certain point, it’s simply not practical to maintain support for antiquated hardware. Additionally, there are instances where older iPhone hardware simply can’t run modern software smoothly.
That said, some point out that there are no technical limitations preventing a device like the iPhone 7 from running iOS 16, especially given that it has an A10 and that the 5th-gen iPad runs on an A9.
Still, that doesn’t make the frustration any less for users.
iPad OS 16 which is based on iOS 16 will be rolled out to the 5th Gen iPad that runs on the A9 chip from the iPhone 6S so it is weird that Apple won’t support iOS 16 on iPhone 7 & iPhone 6S. That was deliberate.
— ?????? (@kiruti) June 8, 2022
The iPhone 6S and 7 are undersrandable, I disagree still (Apple should REALLY give the option to unlock the bootloader)
But the 7+ should 100% get iOS 16, it has 3GB RAM
— kQuote MASTODON @ in bio (@ThisIsMyTHandle) June 10, 2022
Apple disappointed me because it turned off software support for no reason for iPhone 7, 7 plus, MacBook Air 2017, MacBook Pro 2016. We want ios 16 and macOS Ventura on these devices because they are still capable. @Apple that’s a big shame for you.
— Marius ASLAN (@AslanMarius) June 6, 2022
Apple not supporting ios 16 on iPhone 7 might be most weird thing i ever saw
Worst part is
Ipads that are LESS powerful than iphone 7 wilk get the new ios
What kind of logic is that apple?— Pracar (@Not_Prasar) June 6, 2022
While I can see the frustration, there’s also a bit of entitlement at play. Especially when you consider how short the lifespan is for software updates on Android, the fact that Apple’s 2017 iPhone 7 models can still run iOS 15 is remarkable.
Sure, it would be great for iPhone 7 users to enjoy some of iOS 16’s new features, but Apple designs software looking forward, not backward.
The most exciting iOS 16 features
Now if you’re running an iPhone 8 or a more recent device, there’s a lot in iOS 16 to look forward to.
Of course, one of the more exciting iOS 16 features is the ability to customize the iPhone lock screen. In typical Apple fashion, it’s easy for users to play around with different templates and customize the lock screen exactly to their liking with different fonts, colors, and screen elements.
Other iOS 16 features to look forward to include a new notification design, an updated Messages app with the ability to unsend messages and recover deleted messages, Live Text in videos, improved dictation, Apple Pay Later, and much more.
One new feature I’m excited about is Live Activities. With Live Activities, users can keep tabs on sports scores from the lock screen in real time. It also makes it possible to track the progress of your Uber or food delivery service from the lock screen.
You can read about how to download the iOS 16 beta over here.
