iPhone 16 Launch: iOS 18 Compatibility and Apple Intelligence Features Revealed

With the anticipated announcement of the presumed iPhone 16 lineup at the Apple event scheduled for just over a week from now, excitement is building among tech enthusiasts. As part of this unveiling, Apple is set to introduce iOS 18, the latest iteration of its operating system, which was already briefly presented at this year's developer conference. However, if you are not considering upgrading to a newer iPhone model this year, you may end up with an operating system that lacks the latest support and features from Apple.

Impact of Previous iOS Rollouts

In line with Apple's tradition, each year, certain older iPhone models are removed from the iOS eligibility list. To illustrate, last year, models such as the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X were excluded from the compatibility list for iOS 17. Consequently, owners of those devices were unable to update to the new version and consequently missed out on several noteworthy features and improvements.

Compatibility with iOS 18

While the impending release of iOS 18 may not directly affect all existing iPhone users, it's crucial to determine whether your current device will supports the latest iOS. According to Apple, if your iPhone was eligible for the iOS 17 update last year, it should also be compatible with the upcoming iOS 18. This means that iPhone users who have devices from 2017 or later will not have to invest in a new phone to access most of the new software features. Models such as:

• iPhone SE (second generation or later)
• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max

are all confirmed to be compatible with the upcoming iOS 18.

The Limits of Compatibility

However, it's important to note that if your iPhone model is from 2017 or earlier, specifically the iPhone 8 or iPhone X, you will not have the ability to upgrade to the latest iOS version. While your device will still function, it will not have access to the latest features and enhancements that the new iOS 18 brings to the table. This limitation may prompt some users to consider upgrading to a newer model in order to fully utilize the benefits of the latest operating system.

Apple Intelligence Compatibility

Aside from iOS 18, another point of consideration is compatibility with Apple Intelligence. While older devices may still support the latest iOS, they may not be eligible for the Apple Intelligence beta. As it stands, only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which represent the highest-end models of 2023, are currently eligible for this new feature. It is anticipated that the upcoming iPhone 16 models will also be fully compatible with Apple Intelligence, although official details on this front are expected to be revealed during the September 9 event.