Good news: both of these phones will get iOS updates for a long time. Apple is pretty great about this.
Apple's Track Record
Apple typically supports iPhones for about 5-6 years with major iOS updates. The iPhone 6s, for example, got updates for 6 full years. The iPhone XS is still getting updates and it came out in 2018.
What This Means for You
iPhone 16 Pro (launched September 2024):
- Major iOS updates probably through 2029 or 2030
- Security patches even longer, maybe 2031 or 2032
iPhone 17 (launched September 2025):
- Major iOS updates probably through 2030 or 2031
- Security patches through 2032 or 2033
The iPhone 17 will get about one extra year of support. Is that a big deal? Depends on how long you keep your phones.
Will You Miss Features?
Sometimes older phones get locked out of new features because the hardware can't handle them. The iPhone 17's newer chip gives it slightly more headroom for whatever Apple cooks up next.
The Apple Intelligence Factor
Both phones have 8GB of RAM, which is what Apple says you need for Apple Intelligence. But if AI features get more demanding over time, the iPhone 17's newer Neural Engine might age better.
Security Is Solid Either Way
Even when major updates stop, Apple keeps pushing security patches. Your phone won't become a security risk overnight.
Real Talk
Unless you keep phones for 6+ years, both of these will get updates for as long as you own them. I wouldn't make my decision based on software support. They're both excellent on this front.
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How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
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