Katie Marsal
The claims stem from a Twitter post from Mobile-Review.com editor Eldar Murtazin, which was first discovered by MacStories. If true, it would mean that those who take advantage of the current $49 U.S. price of the iPhone 3GS could be out of luck with iOS 5 launches.
"Just one comment," Murtazin wrote. "Apple iPhone 3Gs wont be upgradable to iOS 5.x. iPhone 4 will."
That would be a change from last year, when iOS 4 was ported to the iPhone 3G, a device that first became available in 2008. While iPhone 3G users were able to upgrade to iOS 4, the software still had missing features due to the slower hardware, like multitasking and background wallpaper.
But iOS 4 on the iPhone 3G had its share of problems. In late July, Apple was compelled to publicly respond after iPhone 3G users reported performance issues with iOS 4.
iOS 4.1, released last September, showed improvements in speed and performance, and they were boosted again in November with the release of iOS 4.2. However, starting with iOS 4.3, iPhone 3G users have not had access to the latest software updates.
Murtazin incorrectly reported in December that Apple would add a USB port to its next-generation iPad. The iPad 2 launched in March, and retained the same 30-pin iPod dock connector as its primary input method.
While the iPhone 4 is Apple's most popular handset, the iPhone 3GS is still a strong seller for the company. Earlier this month, it was revealed that the iPhone 3GS often outsells new, competing handsets that run the Google Android mobile operating system.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
70 Comments
I would be surprised if most of the regulars here ever expected the 3GS to be fully-supported with iOS5. Rather than have to deal with older hardware (ala Microsoft), Apple historically only fully supports the current and next oldest previous version of it's iPhones hasn't it? Two gen's back would be unusual for Apple.
A new rumor claims that Apple's next-generation mobile operating system, iOS 5, won't run on the iPhone 3GS first released in 2009 and still sold as the entry-level iPhone....
Apple has been really clear on their policy in regards updates though and the 3Gs doesn't make the bar, so no one should really *expect* iOS 5 to run on a 3Gs.
That being said, I bet even if it isn't officially supported that it will still work on a 3Gs.
iOS 4 should not even run on 3GS
All the older models i've seen running the iOS 4 makes the experience of having an Apple product not what it should be.
Not shocked at all.
2 year contract... 2 years of updates. That's actually pretty generous in this fast-paced tech world.
While you won't get the latest features in your old phone... it's still gonna be as magical as the day you bought it.
It could be worse... Apple could pull an "Old Yeller" and brick your phone after 2 years...
iOS 4 should not even run on 3GS
All the older models i've seen running the iOS 4 makes the experience of having an Apple product not what it should be.
I couldn't agree more. Having been running iOS 4 on my 3G has made me very very unhappy with how often it just grinds to a halt. Just very chunky. That all goes away the end of this week when I get my new phone, but of course I am now compelled to wait until September for the iPhone 5.