Perhaps the biggest announcement about Apple’s latest mobile operating system, iOS 12, is that it will be available for a smartphone that was launched as far back as 2013. The Apple iPhone 5s will be updated to iOS 12. That is a five-year old smartphone.
Why are these software updates important, to start with? Well, for one, up-to-date software means greater security. It also means that you have less issues with app compatibility, as developers are constantly updating their apps to support new features. Sometimes those new features are supported only on the new software.
So, it the 5-year old iPhone 5s will be getting iOS 12, what other iPhone models will enjoy the same treat? Here is the list:
Table of Interests
The iPhone models that will get iOS 12
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 6S
- iPhone 6S Plus
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 5S
That is an amazing list, if you consider that we are looking at Apple’s entire smartphone line-up since 2013. Of course, Apple has always done better than Google when it comes to software updates. Android has always lived in iOS’ shadows in that department. While Google is making efforts to improve things, it isn’t getting better yet.
For example, while iOS 11 is installed on 81% of iOS devices, only 6% of Android devices have Android 8 Oreo installed. Read that again and process that gap. It is wide and deep.
Not even any of Google’s own Nexus and Pixel smartphones can boast of that level of software support.
Comparing iOS To Android Software Updates
Google promises two years of major software updates and three years of security updates for its Pixel phones. Right up beside Google Pixels are Nokia’s new Android devices: users are promised two years of major Android updates, including for its budget smartphones. Motorola used to be on this list, but alas, that brand can no longer be counted on.
Other Android phone brands offer software updates – usually for their flagship devices – but the updates are usually not as speedy as you would get from Google or Nokia.
If you bought a Samsung Galaxy S4, released in 2013, when was the last time your phone got a software update, and what version of Android do you have running on it now?
How iOS 12 Will Fare on the Apple iPhone 5s
Apple WWDC 2018 has come and gone, and Apple has widened the gap between iPhones and Android phones in terms of software support. The Apple iPhone 5s will not get every new feature available on iOS 12, as some of those features require newer hardware. But it will get enough to make it feel like a different phone. Apple swears that your iPhone 5s will become faster and more responsive. It will certainly be a more up-to-date, more secure phone.
And while it has been discontinued by Apple, Apple iPhone 5s is still available for purchase at bargain prices, especially if you do not mind getting a used unit.
