Apple usually releases new versions of iOS during the summer months, with announcements made during the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). If Apple does announce and release iOS 17, it is expected that newer iPhones will be compatible with the new operating system. As for the specific features of iOS 17 and the list of compatible iPhones, we will have to wait for an official announcement from Apple.
The launch of Apple’s iOS 16 update on September 12, 2022, brought highly expected features like a customizable lock screen, live activities, and Focus Mode to iPhone users. While Apple has faced a lot of criticism in the past for being slower than Android competitors in releasing new features, it seems that they are now placing more emphasis on upgrading the user experience by providing new and improved features.
In fact, recent updates suggest that Apple is paying attention to even the most basic features that were previously missing from iOS. This indicates that Apple is committed to constantly improving its operating system and meeting the needs of its users, which is a positive development for iPhone users.
Here’s the expected timeline of its release and a list of expected iPhones which will be compatible to run on iOS 17.
The release date
Apple is expected to announce iOS 17, the successor to iOS 16, at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2023, based on past trends. Following the announcement, a Beta version of iOS 17 will likely be available to a limited number of volunteers who are willing to test the new features and report any issues or bugs to Apple. This testing phase helps Apple address any problems before releasing the final version to the general public.
After the testing phase, Apple is expected to roll out iOS 17 for all users when the new iPhone 15 series is released, which is anticipated to be in late September or early October. Eligible iPhones will receive the stable version of iOS 17 through an update, which will bring new and improved features to the Apple ecosystem.
iOS 17 Eligible Devices
Apple has been known to provide long-term software support for its Devices. A large number of iPhones will be eligible to get the iOS 17 update. Here’s a comprehensive list of the same.
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone Xs
- iPhone Xs Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
The new iPhones will arrive in September 2023 and will run on iOS 17 out-of-the-box. In general, Apple provides iOS updates to devices that are not older than 5 years. The iPhone 8 & iPhone 8 Plus have recently received the iOS 16 update. However, it is unlikely that they may get updated to iOS 17, as they were launched back in 2017. All other iPhones which were launched before the iPhone 8 series will not be eligible to upgrade to iOS 17. These devices weren’t eligible for iOS 16 as well.
New features and Expectations
Apple is known for introducing exclusive features in its devices, such as the Always On Display feature in the latest iPhone 14 Pros. The company has been adding more customization options to iOS, which were previously only available on Android, including lock screen widgets, focus mode, and live activity in the recent iOS 16 release.
However, there are still several features and improvements that Apple could bring to iOS 17 to match or surpass Android’s capabilities. Here are five essential features and improvements that Apple may introduce for iPhones with the upcoming iOS 17.
Dual Apps
App cloning is a very useful tool that allows users to create clones of applications such as WhatsApp by which they can access multiple accounts. The ability to clone apps is an extremely convenient feature that enables users to create duplicates of applications like WhatsApp, giving them the ability to access multiple accounts simultaneously.
Improvement in notifications
Reading and Managing notifications on iOS is messy and a difficult task, especially on the lock screen. It is far more convenient to access & manage them on Android. With iOS 17, it is expected that Apple will take some steps to improve this experience.
Call recording
Call recording is a highly demanded feature by iPhone users and has been available for Android users for almost a decade. However, iOS users have yet to see this feature on their devices. It is possible that with the release of iOS 17, Apple may finally allow call recording on iPhones.
Split Screen
It is one of the most important features of multitasking. Being able to view two apps at once is a really handy productivity feature that lets you save time in repeatedly switching apps.
Updated Siri
Apple is working on a way to drop the “Hey” part of Siri’s typical listen phrase, so it’ll start listening to simply “Siri.”
Everybody has an eye on the newer and the better version of iOS. The release of new versions of iOS is always eagerly awaited by iPhone users around the world. With the release of iOS 16, Apple delivered some of the most anticipated features such as customizable lock screen, focus mode, and more. As we look ahead to iOS 17, there is much anticipation for what new features and improvements it will bring, including the possibility of call recording and improved app cloning capabilities. With each new version, Apple continues to refine and enhance the user experience on its devices, and we can expect nothing less from iOS 17.
