iPadOS 18 could skip multiple iPad models if new rumor is to be believed, but there could be good news for your iPhone

News
By Lloyd Coombes
published

Got an older iPad? It might be time to upgrade.

iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil
(Image credit: iMore)

If you're holding onto an iPad that doesn't have an M-series chip or a recent A-series one, you may want to consider upgrading. A new rumor has suggested that pre-A10X processors will be cut from the iPadOS compatibility list ahead of iPadOS 18.

MacRumors spotted a private Twitter/X account, which has previously shared build numbers accurately for iOS releases, had shared a list of devices that won't have the option of installing the latest iPadOS release, expected to be revealed at WWDC this year. 

The post, which has now been deleted, suggested Apple will end support for the A10X Fusion chip, iPadOS 18 would only be available on the following models of tablet:

  • iPad Pro models from 2018 and later (3rd Gen)
  • iPad Air models from 2019 and later (3rd Gen)
  • iPad mini models from 2019 and later (5th Gen)
  • iPad models from 2020 and later (8th Gen)

iPadOS 17 Live Activities

iPadOS 18 could skip a few devices (Image credit: Apple)

Is it good news for iPhone?

A deleted post from an unverified source is hardly reason enough to try and sell your iPad now, but it's definitely worth considering - and could be hard to swallow for anyone rocking what would've been a very expensive tablet not long ago.

Still, there could be some positive news when it comes to iOS 18, which one Apple insider has said could be one of the biggest in the company's history.

Macrumors has also reported that the same account shared an iOS 18 devices list which is identical to that of the iOS 17 one. If the list is correct (and we wouldn't bet the house on it just yet), you'll be able to run iOS 18 on iPhones as old as the second and third-generation iPhone SE, or the iPhone XR.

The full list is below:

  • iPhone 15/15 Plus
  • iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max
  • iPhone 14/14 Plus
  • iPhone 14 Pro/14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13/13 Mini
  • iPhone 13 mini
  • iPhone 13 Pro/13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12/12 Mini
  • iPhone 12 Pro/12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max
  • iPhone XS/Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd Gen)

Amendment (03/15/24): This article has incorrectly stated that iPads that would run iPadOS 18 were made incompatible, instead of being able to run it according to the report. It has now been updated to correct that (thank you, naddy69, for spotting this).

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Lloyd Coombes
Lloyd Coombes
Contributor

Lloyd Coombes is a freelance writer with a specialism in Apple tech. From his first, hand-me-down iMac, he’s been working with Apple products for over a decade, and while he loves his iPhone and Mac, the iPad will always have his heart for reasons he still can’t quite fathom. Since moving from blogging to writing professionally, Lloyd’s work can be found at TechRadar, Macworld, TechAdvisor and plenty more. He’s also the Editor in Chief at GGRecon.com, and on the rare occasion he’s not writing you’ll find him spending time with his son, or working hard at the gym (while wearing an Apple Watch, naturally). You can find him on Twitter @lloydcoombes.

1 Comment Comment from the forums
  • naddy69
    This article makes no sense. The iPad Pro 13" model from 2018 has the A12X chip, not the A10X.

    Worse, all of this is wrong:
    iPad Pro models from 2018 and later (3rd Gen)
    iPad Air models from 2019 and later (3rd Gen)
    iPad mini models from 2019 and later (5th Gen)
    iPad models from 2020 and later (8th Gen)These should say "20xx and earlier". Not later. You are saying that models from 2018 to current will no longer be supported.

    Later models are of course supported. EARLIER models may not be.
    Reply