Malcolm Owen
The next major version of iOS won't work with the iPhone SE, the iPhone 6, nor older models, a supposed list of devices compatible with iOS 13 claims, but while two models of iPad apparently won't be supported with the release, the sixth generation iPod touch will receive the operating system update.
Apple periodically updates the list of devices that are compatible with iOS, removing older models and reducing the number of devices the company has to support with the software. For example, with iOS 10's release, Apple left the original iPad and the iPhone 4S in the cold while still allowing those using the A6 SoC and later versions to be updated.
According to a list from iPhoneSoft, reportedly sourced from a senior engineer at Apple who works on one of the teams associated with iOS 13, the newest version will not work with the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, nor the iPhone SE. On the compatible side, iPhone models from the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus and later will work with it.
For iPads, iOS 13 is said to not work with the iPad mini 2, but will be compatible with the iPad mini 3 and later. The original iPad Air reportedly won't be compatible, but the second-generation Air and all later iPad releases, including iPad Pro models, are slated to work fine.
The sixth-generation iPod touch with A8 processor will still reportedly be usable with iOS 13, with the belief that it is the last representative of the range, at least until a new model like the rumored seventh-generation version is released.
While the list is supposedly sourced from an Apple engineer, beyond just the iPod touch being supported and iPhones with the A8 cut off, there are other suggestions that it isn't accurate. For example, the iPhone SE is allegedly cut off from the OS, but it is still being manufactured in India, and has the same A9 processor as the iPhone 6s. The sixth-generation iPad from 2017 has the A9 as well. The iPhone 6s and the sixth-generation iPad are listed as being supported, something that is unusual considering Apple typically excludes devices based on processor generation.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
37 Comments
This mirrors a report I heard a few weeks back. Not that it makes it any more or less likely to be true mind you. But this isn't the first time the SE and the 6 have been mentioned as not getting 13.
Well, then I’m glad we upgraded our iPhone 6’s to iPhone 8’s last year.
I have my doubts. The SE gets support cut off, but not the 6S. This indicates it's not an issue with the SoC, because the 6S has the same SoC. Same with RAM. The SE has 2GB, as does the 6S series. It's definitely not an issue with screen size, because the 6 wouldn't be included either.
Shitty report from a unverifiable source. Nothing more than that.
The 5s is probable and I would not be surprised by the 6 and the 6Plus. The SE though, seems doubtful. As others have pointed out they are still making and selling the SE. Seems odd to have big sales on the SE in March and April and then cut off updates in September.
iPhone SE would be surprising. As some noted it is still produced in India. There should be radical shift in iOS that would need cut both A8 and small screens. Hard to guess whether new rumored homescreen needs bugger display. Anyway we will see soon so it is good to postpone purchases or speed up sale of old gear.