Apple usually has a habit of updating older iOS devices to the very latest version of the OS. iOS 11 is no different in this regard with the company only dropping support for older 32-bit devices.
However, that does not mean all older iPhones get to experience all the latest and greatest new features that Apple will be debuting with iOS 11. So, as an owner of an older iPhone if you are wondering what features you won’t be getting access to, read below. First though, let’s list down the devices that will not be getting the iOS 11 update.
iPhones Not Supported by iOS 11 Update
Since Apple is dropping support for 32-bit binaries entirely with iOS 11, all iOS devices featuring a 32-bit chipset will not receive the update.
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
iOS 11 supports the following iPhones:
- iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 5s
However, older iPhones may not get certain iOS 11 features.
ARKit
Since ARKit is pretty resource intensive and requires significant computing power, Apple is only bringing it to selected iPhones and iPads. This list essentially consists of iOS devices that are powered by an A9, A10, or A11 chipset.
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPad Pro (All three variants and models)
This means ARKit apps won’t be supported on the following iPhones:
- iPhone 5s
- iP{hone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
Apple Pay Cash
Apple is debuting a new peer-to-peer payment service with iOS 11 called Apple Pay Cash. The service will allow iPhone and iPad owners to send and receive money to their friends using a dedicated Apple Pay app in iMessage. The money received will be stored in a virtual debit card from Apple. This money can be used for any kind of purchases where Apple Pay is supported.
The following devices support Apple Pay Cash:
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 7 Plus
This means Apple Pay Cash like Apple Pay won’t be supported on the following iPhone:
- iPhone 5s
Face ID, New Gestures, Portrait Mode for front camera, Animoji
Quite a few iOS 11 features are only reserved for the iPhone X thanks to its more powerful internals. This includes Face ID, Portrait mode, and Animoji for the front camera. These features make use of the TrueDepth camera system found on the front of the iPhone X so it is technically not possible to bring them to older iOS devices.
Similarly, since the iPhone X features a bezel-less OLED display at the front with a notch design, users are required to use of gestures to interact with the OS. These gestures will not be making their way to older iPhones and iPads because they all feature a home button at the front.
Wireless Charging
iOS 11 will officially include support for wireless charging in the OS, though the feature will only be available on the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus since only they come with the relevant hardware.
Portrait Lighting
While the iPhone 7 Plus from last year features a dual-camera setup similar to the iPhone 8 Plus from this year, it will not be receiving the Portrait Lighting feature. As the name suggests, the feature allows one to change the lighting effect of a portrait photo before or after taking it. The effect can be pretty dramatic and make a whole world of difference to the final image.
Sadly, Portrait Lighting is only available on the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X, both of which feature a dual-camera setup at the rear and a more powerful A11 Bionic chip. Even the iPhone 8 with its A11 Bionic chip misses out on Portrait Lighting since it lacks a dual-camera setup.
So, does the lack of any of the new features mentioned above not coming to your old iPhone good enough for you to upgrade to the iPhone 8 or iPhone X? Drop a comment and let us know!
