Roger Morph 
iOS 16 was all about personalization, introducing features allowing users to tailor their devices to their preferences. With iOS 17, Apple has again set the bar higher regarding user-customization.
In this article, we will explore what new features and improvements Apple has included in their next iteration and look at the system requirements and release date for iOS 17.
Overview of iOS 16
Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS, has gone through quite a few iterations in recent years. The most recent version to be released is iOS 16, released in September of 2020. This version focuses on personalization for each user by offering several new features and options to customize their device based on their needs.
iOS 16 supports some of the most popular Apple devices including iPhone 6S and above, iPads released from mid-2018 onwards, iPod Touch 7th Generation, Apple Watch Series 4 or later, and HomePod.
The new version introduces several features such as an improved notification system that groups notifications in one section; Picture-in-Picture mode which allows users to watch videos while they’re using other applications; enhanced Lock Screen experiences; App Clips which allow users to access content without having to install full apps; new home screen widgets; updates to the Messages app with Stickers and Emoji functionality; AirPods Audio Sharing feature allowing two people to share audio from their device using AirPods Pro or AirPods Max; CarPlay Dashboard enhancements allowing quick access to routes and other driving related activities; Ability to use Bluetooth mouse with an iPad so that people can have a more desktop experience with their iPad device. All these changes were implemented to give users a more customizable experience when interacting with their devices.
iOS 16 was all about personalization: What will iOS 17 bring?
iOS 16 was all about personalization and many users were excited to discover what iOS 17 might bring. While we still await the official announcement from Apple, there has been news about the upcoming iOS 17 and its release date.
Let’s look at what we know so far about the release date and system requirements of iOS 17.
Expected release date of iOS 17
iOS 17 is expected to be released during the Fall of 2021, but it’s important to remember that Apple has not yet announced an official release date.
Though there is no definitive answer yet on when iOS 17 will be available, Apple usually releases new operating system upgrades in September. This was the case with the release of iOS 16 in 2020, so a similar schedule will likely be kept for this time.
When iOS 17 is officially released, users should expect it to be compatible with all iPhone models from 5s and newer (all models including 6/6+/SE) and all iPad models from iPad Air and newer. However, if you have an older device, there is a chance that you may not receive updates to the latest version of iOS since these devices are not supported by Apple anymore.
Regarding what iOS 17 will bring, it’s too early to tell at this point. However, based on Apple’s previous operating systems and current technology trends, we can assume that this new update will focus on features such as enhanced personalization options (e.g., customizable icons), improved security measures (e.g., Face ID integration), and further integration of features across Apple devices (e.g., AirPlay 2).
System Requirements
As with any major iOS update, there are system requirements to consider before upgrading to iOS 17. To successfully upgrade your device to the latest version, ensuring it meets the minimum system requirements is important.
Let’s take a look at what these are.
Minimum hardware requirements
Apple confirmed that iOS 17 will be a free software update this fall. The operating system will run on many of Apple’s existing devices. Still, it is highly recommended that you check the list of compatible devices and hardware requirements to ensure full compatibility.
Generally speaking, the following minimum hardware requirements must be met for your device to be compatible with iOS 17:
- iPhone 12 or newer
- iPad Pro or newer
- iPod Touch (7th generation) or newer
- A9 chip and later
- 2GB of RAM
Furthermore, iOS 17 requires a 9.7 inches or larger display and at least 1GB of storage space. Some features might not be available on all devices or in all regions. For example, features such as Face ID and Augmented Reality may not currently be supported by certain devices.
Software compatibility
Software compatibility is an important factor to consider when choosing a mobile device. Before purchasing and downloading any new software, ensuring it will be supported on your current device is important. As a general rule of thumb, the most recent versions of iOS support the previous two generations of iOS devices. For example, iOS 17 will work on devices that run either iOS 16 or 15. However, this may not be true for all features and apps.
When Apple releases a new version of their operating system, they also provide detailed information regarding which hardware devices are compatible with the release. For instance, Apple has stated that any device running iOS 16 will be compatible with iOS 17 when it releases later in 2021. Specifically, this includes iPhone 6s or later models (including SE) and iPads released in the 5th generation or later (iPad Pro models excluded).
Additionally, features such as picture-in-picture and system wide dark mode are incompatible with devices older than an iPhone 6s or iPad 5th generation model. Therefore, checking system requirements before purchasing new software releases is always important to ensure compatibility with your device’s hardware capabilities.
Features
The upcoming iOS 17 will bring many new features and enhancements to the iPhones and iPads of many. iOS 16 focused on personalization with features such as the Home Screen Widgets, but iOS 17 appears to have much more in store. From advanced security features to improved performance, this latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system promises to be one of the most comprehensive yet.
Let’s take a look at some of the features iOS 17 has to offer.
New features in iOS 17
iOS 17 has new features to enhance usability, performance, and overall user experience. Apple has designed it to make customers’ lives easier and more productive. Here are some of the highlights of what iOS 17 will bring:
-ARKit 4: Developers can now access improved face tracking, body tracking (with motion capture support), instant scene recognition, and enhanced object occlusion. This update allows developers to create even more engaging augmented reality applications.
-App Clips: Users can quickly access and experience an app’s core functionality without downloading the full version. App Clips also offers personalized experiences tailored to the user’s interests and needs, making them a great way for developers to increase their visibility and engagement with potential customers.
-Neural Engine on iPhone 12: The Neural Engine allows for faster and better machine learning performance on both the A14 chip found in iPhone 12 models and new AI capabilities. This update allows brands and developers to create applications using advanced AI algorithms for tasks including image recognition, object detection, natural language processing, facial emotion analysis,and more.
iOS 17 is expected to be released on September 21st, 2021 and will be supported on all devices from iPhone 6s or newer; however iPads require at least iPad 5th generation or newer to run iOS 17.
Enhancements to existing features
Along with the powerful features of iOS 16, Apple is adding yet more features and enhancements to the existing ones in iOS 17. With this new update, Apple has significantly improved key apps and services such as Wallet, HomeKit, Carrier Services, and CoreML. In addition, users now also have access to greater control over their apps with App Clips Support by offering a lightweight version of the app that they can use when needed.
For the security conscious among us, Digital Sealed Envelope gives users an added layer of protection when exchanging sensitive messages or documents between different people or devices. Additionally, users will have access to opt-in warnings for incoming calls from unfamiliar numbers which can help protect them from scams.
Apple CarPlay has been improved with better Dashboard support for up-to-date information such as calendar events and estimated drive time before arriving at a destination using real-time traffic conditions. In addition, users can now also take advantage of shared experiences by sharing games with other nearby users using SharePlay – all without leaving the game itself!
Finally, system requirements for iPhone models require either an A12 chip or above to run this version of iOS 17 on their devices, giving users even more control over their device’s compatibility.
Conclusion
After looking at the features of iOS 17, it is safe to say that this new operating system version will bring many opportunities for users to customize and personalize their devices.
With the new widgets, widgets stacks and long-awaited App Library, iOS 17 provides users with more ways to make their home screen more personalized and organized.
Additionally, with improved privacy and security measures, users can now safely access the internet and confidently use their digital devices.
Summary of what iOS 17 will bring
It is too early to provide definitive system requirements for iOS 17 because it has not yet been officially announced. Nonetheless, Apple is believed to be focusing on improved personalization and customization features in this major update, building upon the improvements of iOS 16.
In addition, competitors like Samsung and Huawei have made their strides in personalization features and Apple could take one or two notes from them.
Software-wise, the focus seems to be increasing flexibility while attaining simplified, natural user flow. It is also rumored that further advances will be made to help users find the right balance between work and leisure with features such as “power nap” and new multitasking options. Additionally, ARKit 3 will likely become available with an advancing development platform such as Swift 5 or something more advanced.
The official release date for iOS 17 isn’t known yet. Still, it is speculated that it should debut alongside the fall 2019 flagship iPhone around September 2019 or later depending on its development progress.
