The day has finally arrived – Apple is releasing iOS 17 for compatible iPhone devices. As with any major operating system update, there is some confusion among users about whether their current iPhone will support iOS 17 or not. One common question is if the iPhone XR, released in 2018, will receive this latest update. In this article, I will be answering on iOS 17 compatibility for the iPhone XR. Let’s see whether or not the iPhone XR is likely to get the iOS 17 update when it becomes available.
The iPhone XR was launched in 2018 as a lowercost alternative to the flagship iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. iPhone XR was specially for those who were looking for a cheaper version of iPhone X series. originally iPhone XR came with A12 Bionic chip with iOS 12 software update and since then it has received regular software updates over the years up to iOS 16, the current iOS version. However, as we look ahead to the future iOS 17 update likely arriving today 18th September 2023, will the iPhone XR continue to get supported with the latest iOS version? that’s the big question for now.
Will the iPhone XR Get iOS 17?
Apple generally provides software updates to iPhones for 5-6 years after their initial release. By this rule, the iPhone XR may be reaching the end of its update lifespan, as iOS 17 will arrive over 5 years after the phone’s launch. Additionally, Apple sometimes cuts software support for older iPhones that have an outdated processor, even if they are not extremely old. We have seen this with the iPhone 6S, it was unsupported for iOS 16 despite being a 2015 phone.
The iPhone XR has the A12 Bionic processor, while iOS 16 was limited to iPhones with the A12 chip and newer. This may signal that Apple is beginning to view the A12 as a chip that will not support the latest iOS versions going forward. And given the 5-6 year update period, the iPhone XR hitting this mark with iOS 17 makes it very much predictable that it will be excluded from the update. but wait there is more, it might not be the end for iPhone XR.
On the other hand, Apple does sometimes extend updates slightly beyond 5-6 years for capable devices. So, there is an outside chance the iPhone XR could hang on for at least one more iOS version. The iPhone 6S, for example, managed to be updated to iOS 15 despite being over 5 years old at the time. So, Apple could potentially allow the iPhone XR to update to iOS 17 if it’s hardware can still maybe handle the new software release.
Bonus point, we checked on Apple’s official website and guest what we found. We found out the list of compatible devices that are going to receive iOS 17 update and iPhone XR is on of them. Here take a look:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE
- (2nd generation or later)
So, I guess this is it then. Apple has changed its typical pattern, the most likely scenario based on the iPhone XR’s age and A12 processor is that it will not be left behind for iOS 17. Most signs point to the iPhone XR reaching the end of its supported software lifespan but Apple has still hold on to it. Of course, now that the official website is confirmed about iPhone XR getting the official iOS 17, all the iPhone XR users can finally relax.
Until next time, with another topic. Till then, Toodles.