Why there could be a chance A8, A8X and A9 devices get iOS/iPadOS 15

[Homme]

IMO a partial reason why all 6 devices got iOS/iPadOS 14 was due to COVID and how that disrupted manufacturing across a wide scale in the world in favor of healthcare, Apple included (or should I say Foxconn and whoever else involved), and since then last year everything got delayed as a result

plus even with the likes of Mini 4 and Air 2 per se performing well in regards to iPadOS 13 they got the 14th update

now when we move the clock to today in a world where we now proceeded from COVID Disrupting supply to the global silicon shortage (which is worse for Apple than COVID Disrupting manufacturing I think someone correct me if that is the case), because of the delays we’re seeing for iPad and MacBook that combining with apples focus on services like supporting older devices so they can be compatible with things like HomePod Mini, AirPods Max, find my for third party etc maybe even airtags for a device like the Mini 4 then I could see a future for said devices to get iOS/iPadOS 15 and beyond, granted I do think these SoC’s are the first in lineup to not receive a major update and instead get sporadic updates like the 1GB of RAM Devices stuck on iOS 12

thoughts... bear in mind though iPad Mini 4 can still tolerate iPadOS 14 well and I hope it gets more features to extend the device

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I feel the A8 and A8X have had an amazing run but I think iOS14 is the end of the line for them.. The A9 devices may get spared for another year but I wouldn't be surprised if they too were left with iOS14 as their last OS. The A8X is very close in performance with the A9 in multicore and although it does well on iOS14, you definitely can see it's age when compared to the A9.. So I'll say yes to Mini4 and Air2 not getting iOS15, not sure about A9 devices..

 

[JPack]

Do you remember how buggy iOS 13 was at launch? Deep Fusion didn't arrive until 13.2 and other promised features were pushed out further into the roadmap. The bugginess of iOS 13 made Apple slow down and push many features to iOS 14.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1171505720392470529

If there was any real silicon shortage, Apple wouldn't have launched iPhone SE, iPad Air, or iPhone 12 mini. Nor would they have taken a risk by launching M1. Simply put, the supply issue had nothing to do with iOS 14.

 

[Populus]

I feel the A8 and A8X have had an amazing run but I think iOS14 is the end of the line for them.. The A9 devices may get spared for another year but I wouldn't be surprised if they too were left with iOS14 as their last OS. The A8X is very close in performance with the A9 in multicore and although it does well on iOS14, you definitely can see it's age when compared to the A9.. So I'll say yes to Mini4 and Air2 not getting iOS15, not sure about A9 devices..

I’m not sure about A9 devices either, because those were (and still are) powerful machines for that time, and I’m sure they still can run iOS pretty well.

However, I doubt Apple will give one more year of iOS updates to A8X and A9 devices, why? Because they have to move forward supporting A15 and lower generations with iOS 15.

Also, bear in mind the following: starting with the A10 Fusion Apple designed the SoC with a given architecture. And with the A11 they started including a neural engine. I am sure iOS 15 will be designed to take full advantage of the big/little architecture, and that’s why I think iOS 15 could be a step forward in performance and efficiency. And that wouldn’t be possible if you code the system for an old dual core A9

 

[Homme]

I feel the A8 and A8X have had an amazing run but I think iOS14 is the end of the line for them.. The A9 devices may get spared for another year but I wouldn't be surprised if they too were left with iOS14 as their last OS. The A8X is very close in performance with the A9 in multicore and although it does well on iOS14, you definitely can see it's age when compared to the A9.. So I'll say yes to Mini4 and Air2 not getting iOS15, not sure about A9 devices..

yes A8X in multicore is either on par or just exceeds A9, in fact close to the A10 of the 7th Gen touch

with A9 SoC it’s not doing well when it comes to battery life something even A8X is better in this department (metal heat shield... whatever you call it and high effiency cores in which give better battery life than high performance)

Do you remember how buggy iOS 13 was at launch? Deep Fusion didn't arrive until 13.2 and other promised features were pushed out further into the roadmap. The bugginess of iOS 13 made Apple slow down and push many features to iOS 14.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1171505720392470529

If there was any real silicon shortage, Apple wouldn't have launched iPhone SE, iPad Air, or iPhone 12 mini. Nor would they have taken a risk by launching M1. Simply put, the supply issue had nothing to do with iOS 14.

With your second paragraph it can be true to an extent but then why are we all hearing about the global silicon shortage now this year. We didn’t hear about it in regards to the devices you mentioned and SE and 12 Mini got delayed because of Covid and I’m sure we didn’t hear back then about a silicon shortage

but yeah iOS 13 was damn bad (although not as bad or controversial as iOS 11) also thanks for correcting that out which was another factor for all devices getting iOS 14

 

[gwang73]

I don't think CPU processing power has anything to do with it. I think what is now driving iPhone support is all the machine learning that they're adding into the OS. They'll need to drop older processors that don't support all the new features that require more machine learning processing.

 

[Homme]

Considering you can preorder the ancient Apple TV HD (since it comes with the new Siri remote) it is confirmed/most likely that Apple TV with the A8 will get TV OS 15 ( and it has 2GB OF RAM with the same chipset as Mini 4).

THERE COULD BE A CHANCE THAT THE A8/A8X and A9 may get iOS/iPadOS 15 since that Apple TV isn’t discontinued

 

[JPack]

Considering you can preorder the ancient Apple TV HD (since it comes with the new Siri remote) it is confirmed/most likely that Apple TV with the A8 will get TV OS 15 ( and it has 2GB OF RAM with the same chipset as Mini 4).

THERE COULD BE A CHANCE THAT THE A8/A8X and A9 may get iOS/iPadOS 15 since that Apple TV isn’t discontinued

Anything is possible, but the HomePod also uses A8 and will probably continue to get software updates. I don't think that means A8/A9 is getting iPadOS 15.

 

[Homme]

Anything is possible, but the HomePod also uses A8 and will probably continue to get software updates. I don't think that means A8/A9 is getting iPadOS 15.

But HomePod despite the fact it is getting software updates isn’t getting anything fancy, especially since it is discontinued but it’s largely a speaker compared to the Apple TV or even older iOS devices since they are much more in what they are though.

 

[Homme]

Anything is possible, but the HomePod also uses A8 and will probably continue to get software updates. I don't think that means A8/A9 is getting iPadOS 15.

but here you go. I told you. Apple TV HD is still supported and in production.

The fact that Mini 4 gets iPadOS 15 proves that the 6 and 6 plus are the shittest iDevices of all time

 

[JPack]

but here you go. I told you. Apple TV HD is still supported and in production.

The fact that Mini 4 gets iPadOS 15 proves that the 6 and 6 plus are the shittest iDevices of all time

I have to give you credit. With the way A9 performs with multi-tasking on iOS 14, I did not expect it to have even more features this year.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Great to hear 6S and Air2 will receive iOS15!

 

[garethfletcher]

whilst older devices get iOS 15 it looks like the A12 and above devices seems to be the actual baseline they are working to looking at the small print.

 

[The1andOnly]

The fact that Mini 4 gets iPadOS 15 proves that the 6 and 6 plus are the shittest iDevices of all time

I’ve always said this. When the 6/+ came out, I was so excited to get the 5.5”, 401 PPI screen. Then I found out that the A8 was no beast AND that they only had 1GB RAM; I held on to my 5 for another year and got the 6S+. Glad I avoided A8 entirely.

 

[Homme]

I’ve always said this. When the 6/+ came out, I was so excited to get the 5.5”, 401 PPI screen. Then I found out that the A8 was no beast AND that they only had 1GB RAM; I held on to my 5 for another year and got the 6S+. Glad I avoided A8 entirely.

Well when you need to get a second hand A8 iDevice in the future definitely the iPad Mini 4, should get many years of app support 😊

 

[SoYoung]

Great to hear 6S and Air2 will receive iOS15!

I'd be surprised if it wasn't supported on those devices considering how minor iOS 15 is. Its literally iOS 14.8.

 

[Homme]

I'd be surprised if it wasn't supported on those devices considering how minor iOS 15 is. Its literally iOS 14.8.

But then we only knew that it’s minor but at literally the last minute and then yeah I felt hope though for older devices until then😊

 

[The1andOnly]

Well when you need to get a second hand A8 iDevice in the future definitely the iPad Mini 4, should get many years of app support 😊

I mostly agree; the mini 4 isn’t as ****** as the 6/+.

 

[Homme]

I mostly agree; the mini 4 isn’t as ****** as the 6/+.

Yes Mini 4 is a lot lot better for a huge amount of reasons that I will only list some to excite you

AirTags support

services like the new iCloud +

dark mode

PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Series controllers and gameplay

Amazon Luna Controller ( something like that )

Hi Fi Lossless/ normal lossless support

compatibility with homepod/ HomePod mini and AirPods Pro/Max and recent beats headphones since iOS/iPadOS 13

widgets and especially with the Mini 4 for iPadOS 15 you can now arrange widgets around the Home Screen now and different widget sizes. This is so huge for Mini 4 and actually makes it feel like a brand new iPad. It’s so bad that 6/6+ don’t have this 😂😂

App Library which although it’s new for iPadOS 15 also feels like the Mini 4 is a new tablet again by having much better access to apps via the dock at the bottom right. iPhone 6 dont even have this

Sign In with Apple ID. So useful for Mini 4 but yeah not for iPhone 6

the anti tracking feature with iOS 14.5

even iPad Mini 4 supports the advanced find my technology for iPadOS 14.5 ( you have heard).

Even live text for iPadOS 15 via camera app

the list goes on

BTW would you get iPad Air 2 if that was a better option for an A8 (A8X) for you😊

 

[The1andOnly]

Yes Mini 4 is a lot lot better for a huge amount of reasons that I will only list some to excite you

AirTags support

services like the new iCloud +

dark mode

PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Series controllers and gameplay

Amazon Luna Controller ( something like that )

Hi Fi Lossless/ normal lossless support

compatibility with homepod/ HomePod mini and AirPods Pro/Max and recent beats headphones since iOS/iPadOS 13

widgets and especially with the Mini 4 for iPadOS 15 you can now arrange widgets around the Home Screen now and different widget sizes. This is so huge for Mini 4 and actually makes it feel like a brand new iPad. It’s so bad that 6/6+ don’t have this 😂😂

App Library which although it’s new for iPadOS 15 also feels like the Mini 4 is a new tablet again by having much better access to apps via the dock at the bottom right. iPhone 6 dont even have this

Sign In with Apple ID. So useful for Mini 4 but yeah not for iPhone 6

the anti tracking feature with iOS 14.5

even iPad Mini 4 supports the advanced find my technology for iPadOS 14.5 ( you have heard).

Even live text for iPadOS 15 via camera app

the list goes on

BTW would you get iPad Air 2 if that was a better option for an A8 (A8X) for you😊

Thanks for the info. I didn’t realize how much ****** -er the 6/+ are than the mini 4.

Personally, I wouldn’t go any further back than A9/X. I still regularly use my first generation 12.9” iPad Pro.

EDIT: …and my first generation iPhone SE.

 

[Homme]

Thanks for the info. I didn’t realize how much ****** -er the 6/+ are than the mini 4.

Personally, I wouldn’t go any further back than A9/X. I still regularly use my first generation 12.9” iPad Pro.

EDIT: …and my first generation iPhone SE.

this is a great video of 300+ features going to iOS 15. So assuming the 6s will get most of the features besides the obvious ones which require A12 or later the majority of very useful features the 6s/6s+/SE and even the 7th Gen iPod Touch get makes the iPhone 6 even more **** (and the Mini 3 released a month later with 1GB of RAM one of the shittest iPads ever and the 6th Gen iPod Touch which also has 1GB of RAM which was released in July 2 months before the Mini 4. The shittest iPod Touch model (either that or Touch 3/4)

I saw a video which there is 500 features that iOS 15 has but I didn’t see that one yet

 

[Homme]

EDIT: Nevermind