The oldest iPhone model capable of running iOS 12 is the iPhone 5s.
iOS 12 Compatibility: An Overview
When Apple released iOS 12, it significantly extended support to a wide range of older devices, aiming to improve performance and stability, particularly for those with less powerful hardware. This commitment allowed many users with older iPhones to benefit from the new features and security updates.
The list of iPhone models compatible with iOS 12 includes:
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 5s
Notably, the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c models were not able to upgrade to iOS 12, marking the iPhone 5s as the earliest model to receive support.
Supported iPhone Models for iOS 12
To further clarify the range of supported devices and identify the oldest, here's a table summarizing the compatible iPhones and their original release years:
| iPhone Model | Original Release Year |
|---|---|
| iPhone 5s | 2013 |
| iPhone 6 | 2014 |
| iPhone 6 Plus | 2014 |
| iPhone 6s | 2015 |
| iPhone 6s Plus | 2015 |
| iPhone SE (1st Gen) | 2016 |
| iPhone 7 | 2016 |
| iPhone 7 Plus | 2016 |
As evident from the table, the iPhone 5s, released in September 2013, predates all other compatible models, making it the veteran device still able to run iOS 12. This extended support was beneficial for users who preferred to keep their devices longer, providing access to essential updates and features for several years post-release.
