Apple is launching a new iPadOS 17 system this year, but not all iPads will be able to benefit from this update. According to reliable sources, Apple will drop support for three iPad models in iPadOS 17: the iPad 5, iPad Pro 1st generation 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch versions. This means that these iPads will not be able to install the new system or use the new features.
This news has been confirmed by two different sources. One is from an anonymous Twitter account that previously accurately predicted iOS 13 and iOS 14 compatibility, and the other is from an Apple insider at iPhoneSoft, who also correctly predicted that Apple would discontinue support for the iPhone SE and iPhone 6s in iOS 16 last year, as well as iOS 13 and iOS 14 compatibility.
If this information is true, then iPadOS 17 will only support iPads released after 2017, including
- iPad Air 3rd generation and newer
- iPad 6th generation and newer
- iPad mini 5th generation and newer
- iPad Pro 2017 and newer
However, even if these iPads can be upgraded to the new system, they may not be able to fully experience all of the new features and functionality, as older devices may have limited hardware performance.
There is currently a debate about iOS 17 compatibility for iPhone. There are two different rumours, one saying that three iPhone models will not be able to be upgraded to iOS 17, and the other saying that all iPhones that can run iOS 16 will be able to be upgraded to iOS 17. We’ll have to wait for more news to confirm this.
