For the first time, Apple had to explain the guaranteed software support for your iPhones. A novelty required by UK legislation which requires transparency on this aspect for all devices connected to the internet.
According to Apple, the iPhone 15 series will receive security updates for at least 5 years starting from the launch date of September 22, 2023. This means that the iPhone 15 will be supported until September 22, 2028.
The PSTI regulation and the comparison with Samsung and Google
On April 29, 2024, the British Regulation on Product Safety and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI). This regulation requires companies that manufacture, import or distribute internet-enabled products in the UK to comply with specific security requirements. The goal of this regulation is to improve the security of consumer products that can connect to the internet, in particular IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Companies covered by the regulation must provide compliance statements that outline, among other things, the support period for which security updates will be provided.
Since iPhones are internet-enabled products, Apple is also required to comply with the UK PSTI regulation. The company recently released its compliance statement for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, revealing that its “defined support period” is “a minimum of five years from the first date of supply.” The “first supply date” is listed as September 22, 2023, the launch date of the iPhone 15 series.
Surprisingly, however, the minimum support guaranteed by Apple is lower than that offered by Google and Samsung for their flagships: 7 years for security updates and even Android system updates. While Apple has always boasted long-lasting software support for its iPhones, this new official information reveals that Google and Samsung now surpass it in terms of minimum guarantees.
It is important to underline that what Apple communicates represents the minimum guaranteed support. The Cupertino company could still decide to update the iPhone 15 for a longer period, even exceeding the 7 years of Google and Samsung. However, this new transparency from Apple highlights a change of direction compared to the past and a new battlefield for the marketing of companies that produce smartphones.
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