The iPhone X, released in 2017, is not compatible with iOS 17 which was announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in June 2023. iOS 17 requires an A12 Bionic chip or later, which the iPhone X does not have.
Instead, the iPhone X is powered by the A11 Bionic chip. It supported iOS updates for 6 years, up to iOS 16. While it’s disappointing that the iPhone X won’t get new iOS 17 features, it will likely continue to receive important security updates on iOS 16 for some time.
Why the iPhone X Doesn’t Support iOS 17
There are a few reasons why the iPhone X cannot be updated to iOS 17:
Hardware Limitations
The iPhone X features the A11 Bionic chip, while iOS 17 requires the A12 Bionic or later. The A12 brought significant performance improvements over the A11 chip. As each new iOS version becomes more advanced, older iPhones eventually reach the limit of what their processors can handle.
Apple decides on iOS and iPhone chip compatibility based on providing a smooth, lag-free experience. If an older iPhone’s hardware is not powerful enough, certain features may not work well or make the device feel slow.
Focus on Newer Devices
In addition to hardware constraints, Apple is focused on showcasing all the latest features on its newest iPhone models. While Apple does provide lengthy software support for older devices, the company wants to encourage upgrades to take advantage of cutting-edge capabilities.
Security and Feature Enhancements
New iOS versions incorporate security fixes and enhancements that older processors cannot leverage. By requiring modern chips, Apple ensures iPhones getting iOS 17 have the latest hardware-based security and encryption.
The iPhone X on iOS 16
While the iPhone X won’t get iOS 17, it can continue running smoothly on iOS 16. iOS 16 is a robust update in its own right, bringing enhancements like:
Customizable Lock Screen
iOS 16 introduces new personalization, widget, and notification options for the Lock Screen.
Dictation and Visual Look Up Improvements
An enhanced dictation experience allows seamless transition between voice and touch. Visual Look Up identifies objects, landmarks, books, plants and more in photos.
Collaboration and Undo Send for Messages
Edit or recall recently sent messages, recover deleted messages, and collaborate on shared content in Messages conversations.
Apple Pay Later
Apple Pay Later lets users split the cost of an Apple Pay purchase into four equal payments spread over six weeks.
So, iOS 16 still provides a solid experience and new capabilities. Security updates will also ensure the iPhone X remains safe to use going forward.
Recommendations for iPhone X Users
Here are my top recommendations for those with an iPhone X:
Stay on iOS 16
Continue using iOS 16, which works great on the iPhone X. Update to the latest iOS 16 releases to get key security patches and stability improvements. This will let you get the most secure and reliable experience possible.
Consider an Upgrade for iOS 17 Features
If you’re eager to use iOS 17 capabilities like the customizable Lock Screen, enhanced Messages, improved FaceTime, and more, you would need to upgrade to at least an iPhone XR or newer iPhone model.
Use Apple Services on Newer Devices
Use services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade or Apple Fitness+ on an iPad, Mac or Apple TV to access the newest versions of apps and content. While your iPhone X can’t get every latest iOS feature, many services work across devices through iCloud.
The Bottom Line
While the iPhone X won’t be updated to iOS 17, it still has more time left with support for iOS 16 and security updates. For continued access to the latest iOS capabilities, upgrading to a newer iPhone is recommended. But iOS 16 offers a smooth experience and new features that will keep the iPhone X highly usable for a while longer.