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Old iPhones ‘set to get new lease of life’ thanks to huge Apple update in 2020, insiders claim

OLD iPhones may be given a new lease of life thanks to this year's Apple phone update.

The upcoming iOS 14 update is expected to work on phones dating right back to 2016.

 Old iPhone models could be getting updates, giving them lifespans as long as five years
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Old iPhone models could be getting updates, giving them lifespans as long as five yearsCredit: Alamy

Every year, Apple releases a brand new update for the iPhone – adding new features, correcting bugs and patching security holes.

Usually only models from the past two or three years would get the update, with older models declared "obsolete".

But Apple is supposedly planning to maintain support for very old handsets like the iPhone 6S and iPhone SE.

That's according to a leak from French gadget site , which claims all iOS 13 iPhones will get the iOS 14 update.

 The iPhone SE launched in 2016, and may still be getting updates into 2021
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The iPhone SE launched in 2016, and may still be getting updates into 2021Credit: Alamy

Each iOS version lasts around a year, so these phones will likely continue being updated well into 2021.

That means you could have bought an iPhone SE in 2016, and still be receiving the latest Apple software five years later.

Most Android phones typically lose support after just a year or two – which creates serious problems for owners.

For a start, you'll miss out on brand new features that improve your phone.

But no longer receiving security updates is a bigger risk, because known bugs can be exploited by hackers – and there's nothing you can do about it.

"Unsupported software and devices are incredibly dangerous for consumers as there’s no protection from cybercriminals," Brian Higgins, security specialist at Comparitech.com, told The Sun.

"Not only will all the vulnerabilities be common knowledge among the criminal community, users can’t download antivirus software to protect against them."

iOS 14 – supported devices (rumoured)

These are the Apple handsets tipped to get 2020's iOS 14 update...

  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone 6s Plus
  • iPhone SE
  • iPod touch (7th generation)
 We're also expecting a new roster of iPhones in 2020, all with the latest iOS 14 software on board
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We're also expecting a new roster of iPhones in 2020, all with the latest iOS 14 software on boardCredit: Alamy

The bad news is that Apple hasn't confirmed that iOS 14 even exists, never mind the devices that will support it.,

We likely won't hear anything about iOS 14 until Apple's annual WWDC event in June.

Until then, take all rumours and leaks with due caution.

The good news is that it's always getting easier for Apple to support older devices.

Recent Apple iPhones are equipped with very powerful processors, so even older models can still handle very demanding software.

iPhone 11 Pro Max trumps top Samsung and Huawei phones in first major battery life battle

In other news, we've revealed the best iPhone XR deals on offer right now.

Samsung's Galaxy S20 is set to be even bigger than the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

Apple could change the Lightning port for a USB-C connector on future iPhone models.

And the iPhone 12 could be the thinnest ever thanks to new screen technology.

How long do you usually hold on to a phone for? Let us know in the comments!


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