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IOS 11 compatible devices

oldmacs said:
I think the Air 2 will have possibly 2 more iOS versions released for it than the 5S and 6. The A8X should probably get the same support the ipad 2017 gets.
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No,ipad 2017 will be supported one more year.

The A9 processor has higher frequency 1.8 Ghz , the Air 2 has 1.5 GHz only. Single core A9 is:2396
Single core A8X: 1791

A9 is slightly better than A8X. 2017 ipad Will be supported longer than Air 2
 
Math889 said:
IMO I don't think that Apple will drop all A8 devices at once .

The A8 is a curious chip. IPhone 6 is just 15% faster than IPhone 5S. While the A8X is 55% faster than A8, has double the RAM, tri- core processor. Its way better than A8. IPad mini 4 has an A8 processor with 2GB of RAM like Air 2. A8X is even more powerful than A8 on the Mini 4.So, I think Apple will certainly drop IPhone 6 before drop the Air 2.


Lets go back in a too distant past ..... Apple A4 . Ipad 1 generation , Iphone 4, Ipod Touch 4. The IPhone 3GS used an inferior processor.

When Apple announced iOS 6, it dropped support for IPad 1 ,BUT, Iphone 4 and IPod touch 4 which uses the same processor didn't get dropped .Even the 3GS was compatible too.

iOS 7 Apple dropped IPod touch 4 , BUT, the IPhone 4 stayed.

All these devices except iPhone 3GS uses an A4 processor .

Apple dropped iPod touch 4 gen because of the RAM, it has 256 mb of ram, while the IPhone 4 has 512 mb of ram . Both use A4 processor . So, Apple can drop a device based on ram like in this case that I mentioned.

So, based on a too distant past , I think this will happen again with A8.

I don't understand why Apple dropped iPad 1 and didn't drop the iPod touch 4 when they released iOS 6?both devices has 256 mb of ram , am I correct ? So, why drop ipad 1 so early ?
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Agreed that support cycles were a little less predicable with early devices. Back then I think support was mostly dropped for technical reasons as it was the "wild west" of mobile back then. The original iPad was a little ram starved and Apple dropped it early, while other devices received support longer thanks to lower resolution screens. Starting with the A6 I think the chips reached the "good enough" point that newer software doesn't have the effect of making them feel old and slow so quickly (this happened in the desktop & laptop market years ago). I think moving forward iOS support cycles will have more to do with how long Apple wants to support them than a real technical reason for dropping software support. This is what appears to be happening with macOS as with the release of Sierra Apple arbitrarily cut off Macs released more than ~7 years ago. I predict that Apple will stick to a 5 year support cycle for iOS devices moving forward, but only time will tell...
 
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Math889 said:
No,ipad 2017 will be supported one more year.

The A9 processor has higher frequency 1.8 Ghz , the Air 2 has 1.5 GHz only. Single core A9 is:2396
Single core A8X: 1791

A9 is slightly better than A8X. 2017 ipad Will be supported longer than Air 2
Click to expand...

At the end of the day the differences are fairly minimal, and stating what will and won't happen is pointless as Apple doesn't even know yet.
 
nfl46 said:
So, I have a iPhone 6 for a few days, with the latest iOS and I will be surprised if this thing got past iOS 11. It's ridiculously laggy compared to the 6S/7. It's almost unbearable to use at times. If someone is deciding on a 6 or 6s, spend the extra money and get the 6s. iOS 11 is going to be crap on the 6.
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If i didnt have a 7 Plus i would not even notice a difference on my iPhone 6. runs as smoothly as ever
 
AmazingTechGeek said:
While both phones have similar CPU performance, the A8 is much more efficient, so it could potentially run more processes while minimizing the increase in battery drain
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The A8 is 50% energy efficient than A7. However, its only 15% faster than A7. The A8 is more energy efficient but it's not so faster than A7. So, when the 5S get cut , the 6 will be cut the year next. Doesn't matter if is energy efficient, matter how faster the processor is in CPU and GPU performance.
 
Math889 said:
The A8 is 50% energy efficient than A7. However, its only 15% faster than A7. The A8 is more energy efficient but it's not so faster than A7. So, when the 5S get cut , the 6 will be cut the year next. Doesn't matter if is energy efficient, matter how faster the processor is in CPU and GPU performance.
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Well, as you point out, they still won't be cut at the same time. And beyond that, there's nothing that says that the only thing that goes into these types of considerations is just the speed and that's it.
 
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C DM said:
Well, as you point out, they still won't be cut at the same time. And beyond that, there's nothing that says that the only thing that goes into these types of considerations is just the speed and that's it.
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Mainly the speed. Plus , the A8 has only 1GB of RAM like A7 . Not a big difference in speed . Apple will kill the 6 fast . After they drop the 5S , the 6 will be the only iPhone that has 1gb .
 
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I get the feeling that the mini2 is reaching its last legs as a updatable iPad. I just got one earlier this year. The first iPad I ever owned. I know the mini 2 is discontinued now.
 
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bodonnell202 said:
Agreed that support cycles were a little less predicable with early devices. Back then I think support was mostly dropped for technical reasons as it was the "wild west" of mobile back then. The original iPad was a little ram starved and Apple dropped it early, while other devices received support longer thanks to lower resolution screens. Starting with the A6 I think the chips reached the "good enough" point that newer software doesn't have the effect of making them feel old and slow so quickly (this happened in the desktop & laptop market years ago). I think moving forward iOS support cycles will have more to do with how long Apple wants to support them than a real technical reason for dropping software support. This is what appears to be happening with macOS as with the release of Sierra Apple arbitrarily cut off Macs released more than ~7 years ago. I predict that Apple will stick to a 5 year support cycle for iOS devices moving forward, but only time will tell...
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Apple support may have been unpredictable but as far as slowdown goes, replace every 2 years has worked well for me from OG iPhone to iPhone 5. However, I agree that with the A6, Apple mobile chips started being "good enough". Hmm, would actually be interesting to see how the high efficiency (low power) cores in the A10 Fusion compares to Apple A-series hierarchy.

As for the 6 Plus being unbearably laggy, I support several PCs with HDD. The 6 Plus may be a second or so slower compared to 6S/7 but it's still a darned sight more responsive than a PC with HDD.
 
Math889 said:
Mainly the speed. Plus , the A8 has only 1GB of RAM like A7 . Not a big difference in speed . Apple will kill the 6 fast . After they drop the 5S , the 6 will be the only iPhone that has 1gb .
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With Apple letting carriers sell the 6 now with base 32gb storage I would imagine it will at least get iOS 12. Tracfone and at least ATT Pre paid are selling them right now. I scooped one up not too long ago to replace my 5s drop phone.
 
Math889 said:
Mainly the speed. Plus , the A8 has only 1GB of RAM like A7 . Not a big difference in speed . Apple will kill the 6 fast . After they drop the 5S , the 6 will be the only iPhone that has 1gb .
Click to expand...

The A8 doesn't have 1GB of ram. The A8 is just a SoC.

Some products that Apple designs that have the A8 in them, have 1GB of ram, Such as the iPhone 6. But some A8 products have 2GB of ram, like the iPad mini 4.
 
Math889 said:
Mainly the speed. Plus , the A8 has only 1GB of RAM like A7 . Not a big difference in speed . Apple will kill the 6 fast . After they drop the 5S , the 6 will be the only iPhone that has 1gb .
Click to expand...
Considering that there are several A8 based devices still on sale by Apple, including the iPhone 6 which is on sale through carriers in many markets (not just developing markets either), I'd say it's likely that A8 based devices will get at least iOS 12. Honestly since the HomePod will be using the A8 and is apparently running iOS as well it's reasonable to assume that iOS development for A8 based devices will continue for some time.

I wouldn't be surprised if iOS 11 was the last version for A7 devices despite them not being much slower than the A8 based devices.
 
My approximate (possibly?) predictions:

A7 devices - iOS 11 will be the last update. In a very rare case they may end up getting iOS 12. Unlikely.

A8 + 1GB RAM = Most probably they’ll get iOS 12. But there’s no way they’ll get iOS 13.

A8/A8X + 2 GB RAM = They’re guaranteed to receive iOS 12. There’s a decent chance they’ll get iOS 13. Especially A8X.

A9 + 2GB RAM = There’s a very high chance they’ll get iOS 13. They might even get iOS 14. But no more.

All current 4GB RAM devices = iOS 13 is guaranteed. iOS 14 is possible. iOS 15 is a hit or miss. I’m basically talking of the first gen iPad Pro 12.9 here.

iPhone 7 / iPad Pro 9.7 = iOS 13 is guaranteed. iOS 14 is possible. iOS 15 is a hit or miss.

However, the situation changes if you’d like to use iOS in a reasonably smooth and snappy sort of manner. Below is what you’ll possibly need for a decent experience.

iOS 11 = All current 2 GB RAM devices

iOS 12 = Ideally 3 GB RAM or more. However, iPads with A9X + 2GB RAM may be okay. 2 GB RAM iPhones might or might not cut it well.

iOS 13 = iPad Pro 2nd Gen. iPhone 7s Plus or iPhone 8 or newer.

FYI this is what I feel about past devices which ran particular iOSes well.

iPhone 6 or older
iPad Air
iPad Mini 3 or older
The last iOS was iOS 8

iPhone 4s
The last iOS was 6

iPad 2
The iOS it came with

iPad 3
iOS 6, but just about.

iPhone 6s/7
iOS 11 Beta 4 is sluggish.
 
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