Apple to drop support for iPhone 7, iPhone 6S, and original iPhone SE this year

Apple has some bad news for you if you're still using an iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, or the original iPhone SE. The group of devices won't be getting the newly announced iOS 16, the upcoming version of the iPhone operating system set to launch in September. 

In addition to missing out on new features, the move means the phones are unlikely to get any future getting security and stability updates after iOS 16 launches.

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 6S were released in 2016 and 2015, and the devices will have seen five and six major operating system updates, respectively. The original iPhone SE was released in early 2016, and also got six major operating system updates. 

If you've got an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus, you're still okay for now - your phone will get upgraded to iOS 16.

If you've still got an iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, or the original iPhone SE, you might want to start thinking about upgrading. Your phone will keep working, but the reality is the longer you are without mainline update support, the greater the chance an unresolved security flaw will turn up in your device. And hey, new features are always fun.

Here are a couple of popular iPhone 13 plans:

Alternatively, compare all iPhone plans here.

What devices support iOS 16?

You'll be able to install iOS 16 on the following iPhones:

iPhone 13, Phone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 12, Phone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2020), iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus

Disclosure: This author owns shares in Apple

Alex Choros

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Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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