How Many Updates Will the iPhone XR Get? An In-Depth Analysis
The iPhone XR, released in October 2018, has been a popular choice for many users seeking a high-quality yet affordable device. As iOS updates were a key feature back in the day, many are curious about how many updates the iPhone XR will continue to receive. Based on Apple's typical update pattern, the iPhone XR is expected to receive major iOS updates for about five to six years after its release. As of August 2023, the iPhone XR has received updates up to iOS 16.
Current Update Status and Future Projections
The latest update to the iPhone XR is iOS 16, which was released in 2022. In June 2023, Apple announced iOS 17 and its continuation timeline. However, any updates beyond that depend on Apple's policies and the device's hardware capabilities. Generally, it is expected that the iPhone XR will receive at least one or two more major updates. However, this can vary based on several factors, such as consumer demand and Apple's strategic decisions.
Longevity Considerations
Many in the tech community have questioned the longevity of the iPhone XR. To gain insight, we can look at similar cases with older Apple devices. For instance, the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch 6th generation all received updates through 2021, supporting up to 12.5.5. This implies that these devices could receive support for 8 years, which is a significant span. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect the iPhone XR, starting with iOS 12, to continue receiving updates until at least 2026 or possibly longer.
Technical Analysis and Future Outlook
At first glance, one might think that the iPhone XS and iPhone XR have similar internal components. However, the iPhone XS comes with 4GB of RAM, while the iPhone XR has only 3GB. Some users wonder if this means the iPhone XS will receive more updates. In my analysis, the extra GB of RAM is likely due to the iPhone XS and XS Max needing to support the OLED screen, as seen with other trends in Apple's product updates. Typically, Apple decides on OS support based on the processor rather than RAM. Case in point, the iPad Pro 2015 with the A9X processor is expected to support iOS 15, whereas the iPhone 6S with the A9 processor supports only up to iOS 14.
Considering the success of the iPhone 5S and 5C, which were released at the same time but the 5S lasted an extra two years, it might seem logical that the iPhone XR would face the same scenario. However, in this case, the iPhone XR and iPhone XS are identical in terms of the A12 processor. Moreover, Apple continued the iPhone XS line but discontinued the iPhone XR. This indicates that the longevity of the iPhone XR is not solely dependent on the processor or RAM alone. Instead, it is influenced by Apple's strategic decisions and the presence of the device in their lineup.
From a historical perspective, the iPhone 6S, which came with iOS 9, continued to receive updates all the way to iOS 14, lasting six years. Using this precedent, we can expect the iPhone XR, starting with iOS 12, to continue receiving updates until at least iOS 16 or 17. However, after these major updates, most non-Apple apps tend to support a device for an additional two years. For example, the latest version of Chrome (2021) requires a minimum of iOS 12, which can still run on a 2013 iPhone 5S. Therefore, we can expect XR to support iOS 12 or 13 for another two years, potentially seeing iOS 14 and 15 before its support officially ends.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The iPhone XR was designed to stand as a representative of the iPhone X series, offering a premium design at a more affordable price point. Apple's strategy is to have a lineup of devices at various price points, ranging from $399 to $999. The iPhone XR sits perfectly between the SE 2 and the iPhone 11, providing a classic design with high-quality features. Based on my analysis, the iPhone XR should continue to receive OS updates until around 2026 or possibly longer. While we cannot predict with absolute certainty, the historical support timeline and Apple's tendencies strongly suggest a promising future for the iPhone XR.