Apple's iOS 14 again rumored to support all devices compatible with iOS 13

AppleInsider · June 1, 2020 9:49PM

Apple's next-generation iOS 14 operating system is pegged to offer compatibility with all iOS devices capable of running the current iOS 13, according to a report on Monday.

Citing information gleaned from an early build of iOS 14, which was supposedly verified by a "trusted source" in Apple's development process, The Verifier reports the upcoming operating system will run on devices down to iPhone 6s and the original iPhone SE.

A full list of compatible hardware includes iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, iPhone SE (2016), iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS and XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, and iPhone SE. Apple's seventh-generation iPod touch, launched last year, will also support the new operating system, according to the report.

The Verifier claims iOS 14 will be the last update for the iPhone 6S series and original SE, which were introduced in 2015 and 2016, respectively. A further two years of software support will be granted to iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, the report said.

Today's rumor echoes a report from January that also claimed iOS 14 compatibility down to iPhone 6s and SE, both of which are powered by Apple's A9 processor.

It should be noted that The Verifier has a mixed track record when it comes to Apple intel. The publication accurately reported iOS 13 device compatibility last year, but whiffed on numerous predictions relating to iOS feature introductions and hardware additions.

Apple is expected to unveil iOS 14 at the Worldwide Developers Conference later this month. AppleInsider will offer live coverage of the "online experience" beginning June 22.

viclauyyc · June 1, 2020 10:03PM

What am I supposed to do with my 3GS?

joke aside, 2015 was a much better year than 2020.

seanismorris · June 1, 2020 10:49PM

The move to 64bit was huge for Apple, and consumers continue to reap the benefits. Device memory is (now) likely going to be the killer for old phones.

The iPhone 6s, SE, 7 all have 2GB of RAM. We’re probably going to lose all of them at the same time. The iPhone 7 was still being sold last year, so my guess is those models will be supported into 2022.

The iPhone 6s was released in September 2015. Obsolete in September 2022? That would be impressive!

The EU can’t bitch about device life if that’s the case...

canukstorm · June 1, 2020 10:52PM

seanismorris said:

The move to 64bit was huge for Apple, and consumers continue to reap the benefits. Device memory is (now) likely going to be the killer for old phones.

The iPhone 6s, SE, 7 all have 2GB of RAM. We’re probably going to lose all of them at the same time. The iPhone 7 was still being sold last year, so my guess is those models will be supported into 2022.

The iPhone 6s was released in September 2015. Obsolete in September 2022? That would be impressive!

The EU can’t bitch about device life if that’s the case...

So does the iPhone 8

seanismorris · June 1, 2020 11:57PM

canukstorm said:

seanismorris said:

The move to 64bit was huge for Apple, and consumers continue to reap the benefits. Device memory is (now) likely going to be the killer for old phones.

The iPhone 6s, SE, 7 all have 2GB of RAM. We’re probably going to lose all of them at the same time. The iPhone 7 was still being sold last year, so my guess is those models will be supported into 2022.

The iPhone 6s was released in September 2015. Obsolete in September 2022? That would be impressive!

The EU can’t bitch about device life if that’s the case...

So does the iPhone 8

You’re correct... I was thinking of the Plus model that has 3GB.

It’ll be curious to see what they do with that. Apple is kind of stuck, by sticking only 2GB in the iPhone 8. They kind of have to continue support for the older phones because they don’t have a built in excuse to discontinue support.

The new iPhone SE has 3GB. Apple really deemphasizes the amount of RAM... it’s not even listed on Apple’s webpage. It’s pretty important though. The new iPhones have 4GB so obviously they saw a need to give it a boost.

I wonder if we’re going to see features not supported in the 8 and earlier, but they still get the new iOS. I can’t think of anything that would be lost that I’d care about. Anyone care about ()?

iBeacon microlocation

linkman · June 1, 2020 11:59PM

If this holds to be true it's a fantastically long time for them to be supported. It's tough to get the battery to be usable for those oldest models and I wouldn't be surprised if most of them would have needed a battery replacement for 5+ years of use -- unless it's been very light usage. I highly doubt that you'll see a new OS in an Android phone past two years. I've heard here of some getting obsoleted after something like six months?

davidmalcolm · June 2, 2020 2:40AM

Keep in mind a ton of iPhone 6S owners got their batteries replaced for cheap and the A9 is a beefy processor. I was using an iPad Pro with an A9 for years and JUST upgraded. My dad is using it now and it’s still very zippy. Fact is there’s no reason to shove people’s devices off your platform if you don’t need to, especially during a pandemic. If somebody has a 6S that is working you want to let them keep using it until they break it, makes them more likely to buy another Apple device when they need a replacement.

MustSeeUHDTV · June 2, 2020 5:43PM

Anybody with a preview version of iOS14 know if the phone keeps its non-destructive version of editing videos?

jabohn · June 2, 2020 7:50PM

The iPhone 6s was still being sold less than 2 years ago. My mom's will be 2 years old in October. So this is good news.

nicholfd · June 5, 2020 6:57PM

MustSeeUHDTV said:

Anybody with a preview version of iOS14 know if the phone keeps its non-destructive version of editing videos?

There is no developer or preview version of iOS 14 available.

There was supposedly a leaked version...

The real betas/previews won't come until after WWDC.

Apple's iOS 14 again rumored to support all devices compatible with iOS 13

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