Apple’s software support has been and continues to be one of the best around. In January 2023, the company continued to cement its legacy of extended software support by seeding security updates to older devices dating back to the iPhone 5s, released in 2013.
The security update also includes older Macs and iPads released in the same year. That’s almost a decade of software updates, which you can’t really expect from other phone makers today.
Apple rolls out security updates for older devices
Apple’s January 2023 security update is unique because it focuses on older iOS, iPadOS, and macOS versions running on outdated hardware. These older versions include iOS 12.5.7, iOS 15.7.3, iPadOS 15.7.3, macOS Big Sur 11.7.3, and macOS Monterey 12.6.3.
The security update is available for iPhones, iPads, and Macs released in 2013 and later. The list of compatible iOS/iPadOS devices includes iPhone 5s, 6, 6s, 7, iPhone SE (1st generation) and a host of older iPad models. So, if any of your phones are listed, update your iPhone as soon as possible.
Similarly, for Macs, Apple’s security patch covers MacBook Air, Mac Pro, and 2013 MacBook Pro models.
How does Apple compare to other brands when it comes to software support?
When comparing Android and iOS devices, Apple wins all the time. As of this writing, one of the best companies for Android updates is Samsung, with a promise of four major updates and five years of security updates. In second place, Google promises at least three major Android updates and up to five years of Android security updates.
By comparison, Apple typically releases five to six major updates followed by two to three years of security updates. But just when we thought Android was catching up, Apple stepped it up and rolled out security updates for devices around a decade old.
For Macs, Apple offers an average of seven years of macOS updates, plus an additional two years of security-only updates. That’s according to a report from Ars Technica, which compiled data on Apple’s macOS updates for Macs released from 1998 to 2016.
The report data does not cover Macs released in 2017 and later, as they are still eligible for macOS updates from January 2023.
In the world of Windows PCs, things are messy as Microsoft dictates what’s compatible and what’s not. Manufacturers have no control over Windows Updates. Also, unlike Apple, Microsoft does not release major Windows updates every year.
However, if we borrow some notes from Windows 7, 8, and 10 software support, 10 years is standard for PC software updates. Believe it or not, that’s better than Apple’s nine-year average, albeit slightly. However, there are other reasons why people like to buy MacBooks and Macs.
You don’t need to upgrade to the latest Apple device so often
With better software support, you don’t have to get the latest iPhone, iPad, or MacBook when they launch. In fact, you don’t even have to upgrade every couple of years.
You can keep your Apple devices safe for at least five years without missing out on new software features and security updates. And that’s one of the reasons many customers don’t hesitate to pay the premium for Apple products.
