Apple plans to roll out iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 with a slate of fresh features and improvements. Not every iPhone or iPad will qualify for the upgrade, a detail echoed by multiple industry sources. The core takeaway is that older devices will miss out on the new software, a reality that matters for everyday users and tech enthusiasts in Canada and the United States.
With each major software release, Apple trims the list of supported devices. For iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, this means several devices powered by older chipsets will not receive the update. A trusted industry source notes that devices built around the A11 Bionic and older processors are unlikely to support the new operating systems. This aligns with Apple’s long-standing pattern of extending updates to newer generations while gradually dropping support for older hardware. [Citation: Industry sources]
Specifically, devices such as the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and the iPhone X, along with the 9.7-inch iPad, the 12.9-inch first-generation iPad Pro, and the fifth-generation standard iPad, are anticipated to be left without iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The list of exceptions includes later generations of iPads, notably the 6th and 7th generation iPads and the 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch second-generation iPad Pro models. These later devices run on mid-generation A10 Fusion and A10X Fusion processors, which appear to meet Apple’s minimum requirements for the new software in practice, according to the source. [Citation: Industry sources]
Last year’s software cycle saw a broader drop in support, with several models losing compatibility with the new system. Notable examples included older iPhone models and several iPad variants that did not meet the updated hardware criteria introduced with iOS 16. For users in North America, this shift underscores the importance of planning device upgrades if staying on the latest software is a priority. [Citation: Tech coverage]
Industry watchers expect Apple to officially unveil iOS 17 during a keynote at WWDC, with a formal release followed after a standard beta testing period. For readers following this topic, the timing and details of the rollout will determine when features such as updated user interfaces, security enhancements, and new apps become available on supported devices. The broader takeaway is a continued emphasis on performance improvements and energy efficiency across newer generations while gradually signaling a longer upgrade path for a smaller subset of devices. [Citation: Industry coverage]
In summary, the update cycle for iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 will favor recent models while leaving a notable portion of older hardware without the newest features. For those keeping track in North America, this means a practical split between devices that will receive the new software and those that will not, echoing past patterns described by industry commentary and corroborated by sources across tech coverage. [Citation: Market commentary]