Recently confirmed, Apple enthusiasts are at a disadvantage compared to Samsung and Google supporters when it comes to the frequency of iOS updates for their favorite gadgets.
With an already obvious lag in adopting generative artificial intelligence technologies, Apple now also faces a lag in providing extensive software support for iPhone users. A recent report published on the website of a UK regulator has validated common suspicions. Despite the possibility of further changes, Apple does not promise more than five years of iOS updates for owners of the iPhone 15 series.
Starting from the release date of the iPhone 15, in the fall of the previous year, it is expected that these models will benefit from updates until the version of iOS 22. Even if Apple has the option to extend this period, iPhone fans do not have an official assurance in this regard. It's quite possible that iPhone 15 owners past the five-year mark will be limited to critical security updates only, with no further improvements in functionality or interface.
However, to present a complete picture, it's important to note that Samsung's commitment to providing Android updates in the long term is not “definitive”. The company's users have already been disappointed by unclear communications regarding which Galaxy models will benefit from the latest One UI version. Finally, only models released in the previous year were equipped with Galaxy AI support (almost fully), while older devices were limited to One UI 6.1 interface and basic AI functionality.
Taking into account the significant innovations planned by Apple for iOS 18, which include new generative artificial intelligence functions, there is a possibility that the iPhone 15 series will be excluded from the most attractive updates.
In other words, although Apple promises a “Minimum of 5 years of support from the date of release,” the software support provided may actually be less substantial, with iOS updates focusing on superficial improvements while more complex AI features may be excluded due to hardware limitations.