You shouldn't update your phone immediately because new releases can have bugs, cause performance issues (like battery drain or lag) on older hardware, or break apps, so waiting a few weeks for reviews and patches is safer; however, avoiding updates long-term is risky due to critical security vulnerabilities that leave your device exposed to malware and hackers.
Unlike computers, phones don't need major updates annually for new features, especially since most users don't even notice or use these features. Instead, frequent updates add bloat and confusion to menus, ultimately harming users rather than improving their experience.
SYSTEM UPDATES which are NOT OTA, (over the air), are risky and should be avoided if you are not very savvy or are heavily dependent on customer care services and hangs around device manufacturer shops for whatever issue your device may have, (they probably know better than you). SOFTWARE UPDATES or APP UPDATES.
iOS 18 is generally stable, but as with most major iOS updates, early versions can have bugs that get patched in subsequent releases.
Camera may freeze when recording macro mode video on the Ultra Wide camera in 4K with HDR turned off on iPhone 16 Pro models. Messages may unexpectedly quit when replying to a message with a shared Apple Watch face. Performance may be impacted due to an issue with memory allocation on some iPhone models.
Experts say you should update to iOS 18.6 as soon as you can. The positive news from Apple is that none of the vulnerabilities fixed in iOS 18.6 have been exploited in the wild, says Stein.
While updating your iPhone may seem inconvenient, it's necessary to ensure optimal performance, privacy, and security. Neglecting updates can lead to a sluggish phone and potential security risks, making the brief inconvenience of updating well worth the effort.
iOS 17.6. This update provides important bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users.
Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago.
This update provides important bug fixes and security updates, and addresses an issue that may cause iPhone to run warmer than expected.
While updates aim to improve stability and security, they often push older hardware close to its performance limits. If your device starts showing lag after every update, the issue may not be the update itself — it's how your existing hardware copes with the new demands.
Then, one day, your favorite app crashes, your battery drains faster, and, worst of all, a hacker exploits a weakness in the outdated software and steals your data. Think about this happening on a much bigger scale—like across your entire company bigger. That's the risk businesses take when they skip software updates.
Outdated software may not comply with current security standards, leaving individuals exposed to attacks that newer versions can mitigate. Staying updated ensures compliance with the latest security protocols, providing a robust defense against cyber threats.
While a well-maintained phone can even last for five years or more. But when should you upgrade your phone to something newer? A general rule of thumb would be to replace your phone after you have had it for at least five years. After five years the processor and battery would be degraded enough to validate upgrading.
iPhone Battery Health After 3 Years
For older models, the decline might feel more pronounced because the iPhone's system will throttle performance to stretch out battery life. If you're planning to keep using the phone for another year or so, this is a good time to think about a battery replacement.
But at least for now, the lack of available iOS 17 updates means you will be more secure if you update to iOS 18. The iOS 18.3 upgrade contains “several important security-related fixes,” says Sean Wright, head of application security at Featurespace.
iOS 18 requires a device with an Apple A12 Bionic processor or newer, all iPhones that support iOS 17 are also compatible with iOS 18. The Apple Intelligence feature requires an Apple A17 Pro processor or newer.
Installing the beta on your only iPhone is NOT recommended. There will be issues with the software. Some apps likely won't work properly with it as they won't have been updated to work with the software. Think carefully, before you leap.