How long will Apple provide software support for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo?

Apple launched the iPhone 18 Pro and its all-new foldable iPhone Duo in September 2026. Both come with iOS 27 preloaded and are expected to receive software updates for many years to come. Apple doesn’t publicly state a specific number of years for software support for its handsets and other hardware, but looking at its track record allows you to estimate a timeline for major iOS and security updates. A reasonable wait for major software support is around five or six years.

Recent iPhone models show that Apple continues to provide support well beyond the launch of a device. The iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, for example, were launched in 2018 and received the 2024 iOS 18 update as the last major version of iOS. Meanwhile, the older iPhone 7, launched in 2016, received its last major update in the form of iOS 15 in 2021. It’s important to note that major iOS support is different from security support, with Apple continuing to release security updates for older devices long after receiving the latest version of iOS.

The examples shown here suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo could therefore receive major iOS updates until at least 2031, with security updates continuing well beyond that. Of course, Apple doesn’t decide on a whim to end major iOS updates for an older phone. Ultimately, it comes down to whether the phone’s hardware is capable of meeting the demands of the latest software. The processor and memory, in particular, must be good enough to run the latest iOS and its features without any problems.

If you keep your iPhone for many years, it may no longer be able to download the latest major iOS update. As a result, you won’t benefit from all the latest features, although the handset may remain perfectly usable for several more years at least. It’s important to note that to keep many older iPhones secure, Apple continues to release new security updates beyond the last major iOS update for its older handsets, although even these security updates will eventually end.

Even though an older iPhone that no longer receives major iOS updates will still work, it won’t receive improvements or new features like the latest AI and interface updates. You can still count on basic functions like calling, messaging, web browsing, and photography working, so if you’re happy with that, there may be no reason to upgrade to a newer iPhone.

However, it can get more complicated if a developer stops updating their app for your older version of iOS. This means you won’t be able to download the latest version of an app, causing you to miss out on new features, bug fixes, and security updates. The version you have may continue to work, but it will not receive the same updates as the current version. This can become a problem over time, especially if the app has a security issue that’s only fixed in a newer version that your old iPhone can’t install, or worse, if the app stops working altogether. But if you own an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone Duo, you don’t have to worry about the apps becoming outdated any time soon. Just make sure to keep your phone and apps up to date with the latest versions for the best experience possible.