From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On Mar 17, 2026 at 10:09:25 PM MST, "Maria Sophia" wrote <10pdc25$2uhs$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

About 5 years
--
It's impossible for someone who is at war with themselves to be at peace with you.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 2026-03-17 22:09, Maria Sophia wrote:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

1. Setting up "no true Scotsman".

2. Name a contemporaneous phone what was supported better.

The iPhone X was discontinued nearly 7.5 years ago (7 years 5 months),
and the last iOS update for it was iOS 16.7.15...

...which was released just last week!
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 2026-03-18 16:21:46 +0000, Brock McNuggets said:

On Mar 17, 2026 at 10:09:25 PM MST, "Maria Sophia" wrote <10pdc25$2uhs$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

About 5 years

*Full* iOS support yes, but the iPhone X is still being supported, with
an update just this month - nine years after the model was released.

2017 = iPhone X released with iOS 11.1
2022 = iOS 16 released (last full version for iPhone X)
2026 = iOS 16.7.15 update released 11 March

As usual, the moronic troll Arlen / Marian / Maria has no clue what it
babbles about.


--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Your Name <YourName@YourISP.com> wrote:

On 2026-03-18 16:21:46 +0000, Brock McNuggets said:

On Mar 17, 2026 at 10:09:25 PM MST, "Maria Sophia" wrote
<10pdc25$2uhs$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

About 5 years

*Full* iOS support yes, but the iPhone X is still being supported, with
an update just this month - nine years after the model was released.

2017 = iPhone X released with iOS 11.1
2022 = iOS 16 released (last full version for iPhone X)
2026 = iOS 16.7.15 update released 11 March

Thanks.

As usual, the moronic troll Arlen / Marian / Maria has no clue what it babbles about.

Soon he’ll go back to lying about security issues.
--
Personal attacks from those who troll show their own insecurity. They
cannot use reason to show the message to be wrong so they try to feel
somehow superior by attacking the messenger.

They cling to their attacks and ignore the message time and time again.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 3/18/26 1:09 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

iPhone X was fully supported from iOS 11 through iOS 16. Phone release
data was 9/26/2017. iOS 17 was released on 9/18/23, and ended full
support. That is 6 years. Security updates are still being done with
most recent on 1/26/2026, over 8 years of support. Also, my iPad 7th generation released on 9/10/2019 also receives similar frequent updates.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 3/18/26 12:38 PM, Alan wrote:

On 2026-03-17 22:09, Maria Sophia wrote:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

1. Setting up "no true Scotsman".

2. Name a contemporaneous phone what was supported better.

The iPhone X was discontinued nearly 7.5 years ago (7 years 5 months),
and the last iOS update for it was iOS 16.7.15...

...which was released just last week!

Great! A reference I found stated it was January.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Your Name wrote:

On 2026-03-18 16:21:46 +0000, Brock McNuggets said:

On Mar 17, 2026 at 10:09:25 PM MST, "Maria Sophia" wrote
<10pdc25$2uhs$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

About 5 years

*Full* iOS support yes, but the iPhone X is still being supported, with
an update just this month - nine years after the model was released.

2017 = iPhone X released with iOS 11.1
2022 = iOS 16 released (last full version for iPhone X)
2026 = iOS 16.7.15 update released 11 March

As usual, the moronic troll has no clue what it babbles about.

Notice I may know more than you think I know, given factual nuances below.

Ignoring the personal attacks (because they prove the message hit home),
the message is that the iPhone X was fully supported for about five years.

Certainly that's likely longer than most Android phones of that 2017 era.
But note all Androids 10+ (after 2019) core modules are updated forever.

So note these facts:
a. iPhone X was fully supported for five years, and then, support
drastically drops to whatever Apple feels is super duper critical.
b. Android Galaxy/Pixel (which are the main iPhone competitors)
generally got only about 3 years of full support, but, after
Android 10, all Androids get monthly core module updates forever.
c. Every OS vendor releases random updates for super duper critical fixes,
so any claim that Apple is special is specious since it's normal.

Notice I may know more than you think I know, given factual nuances above.

A. While all OS vendors randomly update old devices when it's critical...
B. Apple full support just dies. Boom. Dead. That's it. Gone. Toast.
C. Android 10+ support goes on forever, monthly, for core modules.

I can read the hatred you Apple owners feel for me for pointing out these facts, but the fact you aim at me for what Apple did, is very telling.

Why do you attack me simply for telling you facts you don't know about iOS? --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Tom Elam wrote:

On 3/18/26 1:09 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

iPhone X was fully supported from iOS 11 through iOS 16. Phone release
data was 9/26/2017. iOS 17 was released on 9/18/23, and ended full
support. That is 6 years. Security updates are still being done with
most recent on 1/26/2026, over 8 years of support. Also, my iPad 7th generation released on 9/10/2019 also receives similar frequent updates.

Hi Tom,

The person you're responding to has absolutely no clue about iOS support.
He clearly has no idea what Apple/Google/Samsung mean by "full support".
He doesn't get to define what the entire industry uses as "full support".

So thanks for attempting to answer as this thread is posed as a thoughtful question about facts, where the others attacked me, yet you did not.

The others attacked me because, I suppose, the point I'm making hit home.
And that point about full support for the iPhone X seems to bother them.

So they attacked me because Apple's full support was only five years.

It's good that they attacked me for that simple well-known fact.
Because it means the message hit home.

The answer is 5 years (not 6) because full support means only one thing.
If you count "other" you can get 6 years but that's not full support.

So the correct answer is 5 years (not 6 years).
Actually slightly less than 5 years. From Nov 2017 to Sept 2022.

That's important because there is a solid factual point being made.

Ignoring the personal attacks (because they prove the message hit home),
the message is that the iPhone X was fully supported for about five years.

It's well known that EVERY OS MANUFACTURER on the planet, who sells to consumers, will randomly fix critical bugs after full support ends.

So the others who posted claimed the only good thing about Apple dropping
full support is that Apple does what every other OS vendor does too.

And that's true.

Apple does randomly fix critical bugs after full support.
And so does everyone else.

But what's DIFFERENT about Apple phones of that (2017) era is:
a. Full support dropped like falling off a cliff at 5 years.
b. After that, there's nothing but the random critical bug fix.

Meanwhile, for Android phones of a similar era (2019, Android 10+)
a. Full support dropped like falling off a cliff at ~3 years
b. After that, there's permanent forever support for core modules

What's interesting, is Apple support is getting worse by the day.
And Android support is getting better by the day.

At least for the main competitors to the iPhone (Galaxy/Pixel).
1. Android support TODAY is a written promise of 7 years.
2. iPhone support TODAY is a written promise of 5 years.
3. After that, while every OS vendor randomly fixes critical bugs,
A. Android support goes on forever for the core modules
B. iPhone support has no concept of core modules updated forever

The point is that this is a factual discussion of iPhone X full support.
If you wish to engage on that topic, I'm here for you to discuss things.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Tom Elam wrote:

Great! A reference I found stated it was January.

Hi Tom,

Thanks for not throwing personal insults while discussing a factual issue.

It's strange I felt I needed to start with "thanks for not throwing
personal insults", but on an Apple newsgroup, it's refreshing when personal insults don't happen in response to a simple question about facts.

Every post save for yours, started or ended with personal insults.
Hence, I appreciate (and I'm sure others do also) you didn't do that.

You simply wanted to know answerd to a rather important factual question:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: The correct answer is 5 years (not 6 years).

Actually slightly less than 5 years. From Nov 2017 to Sept 2022.

Note the poster whom you're responding to doesn't understand that 'full support' & 'still receiving updates' are completely different things.

As an example, all Android 10+ phones on the planet, that are connected at
some point to the Internet, are "receiving monthly updates" forever.

But that's not "full support".
It's monthly scheduled updates for the life of all Android 10+ devices.

Does iOS have that concept of updating core modules forever for all phones?
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

Your Name wrote:

On 2026-03-18 16:21:46 +0000, Brock McNuggets said:

On Mar 17, 2026 at 10:09:25 PM MST, "Maria Sophia" wrote
<10pdc25$2uhs$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

About 5 years

*Full* iOS support yes, but the iPhone X is still being supported, with
an update just this month - nine years after the model was released.

2017 = iPhone X released with iOS 11.1
2022 = iOS 16 released (last full version for iPhone X)
2026 = iOS 16.7.15 update released 11 March

As usual, the moronic troll has no clue what it babbles about.

Notice I may know more than you think I know, given factual nuances below.

Ignoring the personal attacks (because they prove the message hit home),
the message is that the iPhone X was fully supported for about five years.

Certainly that's likely longer than most Android phones of that 2017 era.
But note all Androids 10+ (after 2019) core modules are updated forever.

So note these facts:
a. iPhone X was fully supported for five years, and then, support
drastically drops to whatever Apple feels is super duper critical.
b. Android Galaxy/Pixel (which are the main iPhone competitors)
generally got only about 3 years of full support, but, after
Android 10, all Androids get monthly core module updates forever.
c. Every OS vendor releases random updates for super duper critical fixes,
so any claim that Apple is special is specious since it's normal.

Notice I may know more than you think I know, given factual nuances above.

A. While all OS vendors randomly update old devices when it's critical...
B. Apple full support just dies. Boom. Dead. That's it. Gone. Toast.
C. Android 10+ support goes on forever, monthly, for core modules.

I can read the hatred you Apple owners feel for me for pointing out these facts, but the fact you aim at me for what Apple did, is very telling.

Why do you attack me simply for telling you facts you don't know about iOS?

Tell me you don’t understand project Mainline without telling me you don’t understand project Mainline.

https://source.android.com/docs/core/ota/modular-system
--
Personal attacks from those who troll show their own insecurity. They
cannot use reason to show the message to be wrong so they try to feel
somehow superior by attacking the messenger.

They cling to their attacks and ignore the message time and time again.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 3/19/26 3:32 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:

Tom Elam wrote:

On 3/18/26 1:09 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

iPhone X was fully supported from iOS 11 through iOS 16. Phone release
data was 9/26/2017. iOS 17 was released on 9/18/23, and ended full
support. That is 6 years. Security updates are still being done with
most recent on 1/26/2026, over 8 years of support. Also, my iPad 7th
generation released on 9/10/2019 also receives similar frequent updates.

Hi Tom,

The person you're responding to has absolutely no clue about iOS support.
He clearly has no idea what Apple/Google/Samsung mean by "full support".
He doesn't get to define what the entire industry uses as "full support".

So thanks for attempting to answer as this thread is posed as a thoughtful question about facts, where the others attacked me, yet you did not.

The others attacked me because, I suppose, the point I'm making hit home.
And that point about full support for the iPhone X seems to bother them.

So they attacked me because Apple's full support was only five years.

It's good that they attacked me for that simple well-known fact.
Because it means the message hit home.

The answer is 5 years (not 6) because full support means only one thing.
If you count "other" you can get 6 years but that's not full support.

So the correct answer is 5 years (not 6 years).
Actually slightly less than 5 years. From Nov 2017 to Sept 2022.

That's important because there is a solid factual point being made.

Ignoring the personal attacks (because they prove the message hit home),
the message is that the iPhone X was fully supported for about five years.

It's well known that EVERY OS MANUFACTURER on the planet, who sells to consumers, will randomly fix critical bugs after full support ends.

So the others who posted claimed the only good thing about Apple dropping full support is that Apple does what every other OS vendor does too.

And that's true.

Apple does randomly fix critical bugs after full support.
And so does everyone else.

But what's DIFFERENT about Apple phones of that (2017) era is:
a. Full support dropped like falling off a cliff at 5 years.
b. After that, there's nothing but the random critical bug fix.

Meanwhile, for Android phones of a similar era (2019, Android 10+)
a. Full support dropped like falling off a cliff at ~3 years
b. After that, there's permanent forever support for core modules

What's interesting, is Apple support is getting worse by the day.
And Android support is getting better by the day.

At least for the main competitors to the iPhone (Galaxy/Pixel).
1. Android support TODAY is a written promise of 7 years.
2. iPhone support TODAY is a written promise of 5 years.
3. After that, while every OS vendor randomly fixes critical bugs,
A. Android support goes on forever for the core modules
B. iPhone support has no concept of core modules updated forever

The point is that this is a factual discussion of iPhone X full support.
If you wish to engage on that topic, I'm here for you to discuss things.

FACT: Not all Android phones are Samsung or Pixel
FACT: Budget Android phones get very limited support
FACT: Not all Galaxy phones get 7 years of support
FACT: Once Pixel support ends it ends, no security patches
FACT: Pixel phones are a tiny share of the global market
FACT: Apple support has not gotten worse over time
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Tom Elam wrote:

The point is that this is a factual discussion of iPhone X full support.
If you wish to engage on that topic, I'm here for you to discuss things.

FACT: Not all Android phones are Samsung or Pixel
FACT: Budget Android phones get very limited support
FACT: Not all Galaxy phones get 7 years of support
FACT: Once Pixel support ends it ends, no security patches
FACT: Pixel phones are a tiny share of the global market
FACT: Apple support has not gotten worse over time

Hi Tom,

Thank you for talking about facts because I never disagree with any
sensibly viewpoint, no matter who makes the point or their past history.

Some of your facts are indeed correct.
Yet others are so wrong that you need to learn how Android works.

For example, Apple support has not "gotten worse" in and of itself, as it
was always bad, but it has fallen further behind that of Android flagships.

An example is Apple has never in its history fully supported more than one concurrent major release whereas Samsung supports concurrently up to 7.

Of course you're right that a cheap throwaway $39.99 Android doesn't have
that kind of support, we're comparing here the iPhone to its competition.

While no iPhone ever made can do what any $39.99 Android phone can easily
do, the main 1:1 competition to the iPhone is the Galaxy S series phone.

I agree with you that the Pixel only sells about 10 to 12 million devices
per year, and so I will drop the Pixel as a direct iPhone competitor.

Samsung sells hundreds of millions of phones per year, while Pixel sells
only single-digit millions, so the real iPhone competitor is the Galaxy S.

Given iPhone shipments are typically 220-240 million per year, and Samsung
is 250-270 million, this puts Apple & Samsung in a league of their own.

So you're right that the Pixel isn't a serious competitor to the iPhone.
But you're dead wrong on how the Pixel updates because of Project Mainline.

All Android 10+ device core modules are updated monthly forever.
It's a fact. Look it up. Maybe we need a thread on this alone for you?

Back to the competition since you want to compare a $39.99 Android to the iPhone in terms of support, but the real comparison is with competition.

These are direct competitors: iPhone Pro/Pro Max vs Galaxy S/Ultra

Given Samsung Galaxy line S series directly competes with the iPhone, it's notable what Apple was forced to admit in writing to meet UK truth laws.
.
1. Apple can only promise 5 years of full support for new iPhones.
2. The Samsung Galaxy S series is a promised 7 years for new phones.

I do appreciate though that you didn't hurl insults like the others did.
For that, I appreciate that you're conducting an intelligent discourse.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 2026-03-19 00:16, Maria Sophia wrote:

Your Name wrote:

On 2026-03-18 16:21:46 +0000, Brock McNuggets said:

On Mar 17, 2026 at 10:09:25 PM MST, "Maria Sophia" wrote
<10pdc25$2uhs$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

About 5 years

*Full* iOS support yes, but the iPhone X is still being supported, with
an update just this month - nine years after the model was released.

2017 = iPhone X released with iOS 11.1
2022 = iOS 16 released (last full version for iPhone X)
2026 = iOS 16.7.15 update released 11 March

As usual, the moronic troll has no clue what it babbles about.

Notice I may know more than you think I know, given factual nuances below.

Ignoring the personal attacks (because they prove the message hit home),
the message is that the iPhone X was fully supported for about five years.

Certainly that's likely longer than most Android phones of that 2017 era.
But note all Androids 10+ (after 2019) core modules are updated forever.

So note these facts:
a. iPhone X was fully supported for five years, and then, support
drastically drops to whatever Apple feels is super duper critical.
b. Android Galaxy/Pixel (which are the main iPhone competitors)
generally got only about 3 years of full support, but, after
Android 10, all Androids get monthly core module updates forever.

So "core module updates" means something are NOT "core" and don't get
updated, right?

So it's whatever the Android consortium thinks is "super duper critical" right?

c. Every OS vendor releases random updates for super duper critical fixes,
so any claim that Apple is special is specious since it's normal.

Notice I may know more than you think I know, given factual nuances above.

A. While all OS vendors randomly update old devices when it's critical...
B. Apple full support just dies. Boom. Dead. That's it. Gone. Toast.
C. Android 10+ support goes on forever, monthly, for core modules.

"No true Scotsman": your favourite logical fallacy.

I can read the hatred you Apple owners feel for me for pointing out these facts, but the fact you aim at me for what Apple did, is very telling.

Why do you attack me simply for telling you facts you don't know about iOS?

Here are some facts:

No version of Android older than Android 14 is receiving new security
updates:

<https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2026/2026-03-01>

Support of this kind ended for Android 13 on March 2, 2026. It was first released on August 15, 2022, so it is no longer "fully supported" less
than 4 years after its release.

<https://endoflife.date/android>

Here's a fun tidbit from that page:

'Android does not have a documented support policy. Releases are
considered EOL when they are no longer listed in Android Security
Bulletins.'

Cute, right? Never officially say you're not supporting an OS version
anymore, just stop creating updates!


By comparison, iOS 12 was released September 17, 2018 and received a
security update on January 26, 2026.

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 2026-03-19 00:43, Maria Sophia wrote:

Tom Elam wrote:

Great! A reference I found stated it was January.

Hi Tom,

Thanks for not throwing personal insults while discussing a factual issue.

It's strange I felt I needed to start with "thanks for not throwing
personal insults", but on an Apple newsgroup, it's refreshing when personal insults don't happen in response to a simple question about facts.

Says the "man" who throws more personal insults than anyone.

Every post save for yours, started or ended with personal insults.
Hence, I appreciate (and I'm sure others do also) you didn't do that.

You simply wanted to know answerd to a rather important factual question:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: The correct answer is 5 years (not 6 years).

Actually slightly less than 5 years. From Nov 2017 to Sept 2022.

Note the poster whom you're responding to doesn't understand that 'full support' & 'still receiving updates' are completely different things.

As an example, all Android 10+ phones on the planet, that are connected at some point to the Internet, are "receiving monthly updates" forever.

But that's not "full support".

It's monthly scheduled updates for the life of all Android 10+ devices.

Does iOS have that concept of updating core modules forever for all phones?

"No true Scotsman": your favourite logical fallacy.

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 2026-03-19 00:32, Maria Sophia wrote:

Tom Elam wrote:

On 3/18/26 1:09 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

iPhone X was fully supported from iOS 11 through iOS 16. Phone release
data was 9/26/2017. iOS 17 was released on 9/18/23, and ended full
support. That is 6 years. Security updates are still being done with
most recent on 1/26/2026, over 8 years of support. Also, my iPad 7th
generation released on 9/10/2019 also receives similar frequent updates.

Hi Tom,

The person you're responding to has absolutely no clue about iOS support.
He clearly has no idea what Apple/Google/Samsung mean by "full support".
He doesn't get to define what the entire industry uses as "full support".

But I notice you'll allow yourself to do it.

So thanks for attempting to answer as this thread is posed as a thoughtful question about facts, where the others attacked me, yet you did not.

The others attacked me because, I suppose, the point I'm making hit home.
And that point about full support for the iPhone X seems to bother them.

So they attacked me because Apple's full support was only five years.

It's good that they attacked me for that simple well-known fact.
Because it means the message hit home.

The answer is 5 years (not 6) because full support means only one thing.
If you count "other" you can get 6 years but that's not full support.

So the correct answer is 5 years (not 6 years).
Actually slightly less than 5 years. From Nov 2017 to Sept 2022.

That's important because there is a solid factual point being made.

Ignoring the personal attacks (because they prove the message hit home),
the message is that the iPhone X was fully supported for about five years.

It's well known that EVERY OS MANUFACTURER on the planet, who sells to consumers, will randomly fix critical bugs after full support ends.

So the others who posted claimed the only good thing about Apple dropping full support is that Apple does what every other OS vendor does too.

And that's true.

Apple does randomly fix critical bugs after full support.
And so does everyone else.

But what's DIFFERENT about Apple phones of that (2017) era is:
a. Full support dropped like falling off a cliff at 5 years.
b. After that, there's nothing but the random critical bug fix.

Meanwhile, for Android phones of a similar era (2019, Android 10+)
a. Full support dropped like falling off a cliff at ~3 years
b. After that, there's permanent forever support for core modules

But not critical bug fixes to things below the "core modules".

You DID know that the core modules sit on top of the kernel, right?

What's interesting, is Apple support is getting worse by the day.
And Android support is getting better by the day.

At least for the main competitors to the iPhone (Galaxy/Pixel).
1. Android support TODAY is a written promise of 7 years.

Not "Android". "Certain Android phone models".

2. iPhone support TODAY is a written promise of 5 years.
3. After that, while every OS vendor randomly fixes critical bugs,
A. Android support goes on forever for the core modules

But not things outside those core modules.

Security updates for everything before Android 14 have already stopped
with Android 13 less than 4 years old.

B. iPhone support has no concept of core modules updated forever

The point is that this is a factual discussion of iPhone X full support.
If you wish to engage on that topic, I'm here for you to discuss things.

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 2026-03-19 09:53, Maria Sophia wrote:

Tom Elam wrote:

The point is that this is a factual discussion of iPhone X full support. >>> If you wish to engage on that topic, I'm here for you to discuss things.

FACT: Not all Android phones are Samsung or Pixel
FACT: Budget Android phones get very limited support
FACT: Not all Galaxy phones get 7 years of support
FACT: Once Pixel support ends it ends, no security patches
FACT: Pixel phones are a tiny share of the global market
FACT: Apple support has not gotten worse over time

Hi Tom,

Thank you for talking about facts because I never disagree with any
sensibly viewpoint, no matter who makes the point or their past history.

Some of your facts are indeed correct.
Yet others are so wrong that you need to learn how Android works.

For example, Apple support has not "gotten worse" in and of itself, as it
was always bad, but it has fallen further behind that of Android flagships.

An example is Apple has never in its history fully supported more than one concurrent major release whereas Samsung supports concurrently up to 7.

This is simply false:

<https://endoflife.date/android>

'Major versions of Android that introduce behavior changes are released
once a year in Q2. Since 2025, there have been two Android releases a
year. The other is a minor release in Q4 that brings new APIs and
feature updates but does not contain any breaking changes. See Android
OS Version History for additional information about each release.

Android does not have a documented support policy. Releases are
considered EOL when they are no longer listed in Android Security
Bulletins.'

Of course you're right that a cheap throwaway $39.99 Android doesn't have that kind of support, we're comparing here the iPhone to its competition.

While no iPhone ever made can do what any $39.99 Android phone can easily
do, the main 1:1 competition to the iPhone is the Galaxy S series phone.

I agree with you that the Pixel only sells about 10 to 12 million devices
per year, and so I will drop the Pixel as a direct iPhone competitor.

Samsung sells hundreds of millions of phones per year, while Pixel sells
only single-digit millions, so the real iPhone competitor is the Galaxy S.

Did everyone see the subtle shift there; from ALL Samsung phones to just
one series?

Given iPhone shipments are typically 220-240 million per year, and Samsung
is 250-270 million, this puts Apple & Samsung in a league of their own.

And now back to ALL Samsung phones!

So you're right that the Pixel isn't a serious competitor to the iPhone.
But you're dead wrong on how the Pixel updates because of Project Mainline.

All Android 10+ device core modules are updated monthly forever.
It's a fact. Look it up. Maybe we need a thread on this alone for you?

But what you're failing to mention is that the OS is more than the "core modules", and that (critically) the kernel isn't being updated for
anything older than Android 14.

Back to the competition since you want to compare a $39.99 Android to the iPhone in terms of support, but the real comparison is with competition.

These are direct competitors: iPhone Pro/Pro Max vs Galaxy S/Ultra

Given Samsung Galaxy line S series directly competes with the iPhone, it's notable what Apple was forced to admit in writing to meet UK truth laws.
.
1. Apple can only promise 5 years of full support for new iPhones.
2. The Samsung Galaxy S series is a promised 7 years for new phones.

But we have a track record for Apple that shows they mean what they say.

Currently, iOS versions back to iOS 12 have been receiving security updates.

No version of Android 13 or older is receiving any further support out
side of the "core modules", which comprise only a fraction of the entire OS.

I do appreciate though that you didn't hurl insults like the others did.
For that, I appreciate that you're conducting an intelligent discourse.

'What is Outside the Scope [of the Mainline core modules]

This is the "unprotected" territory that still requires a traditional
firmware update from your manufacturer (Samsung, Pixel, etc.).

1. Hardware Drivers & Kernel

The Linux Kernel: The foundation of the OS. While Google provides a
"Generic Kernel Image" (GKI), the actual kernel running on your phone
contains proprietary code from Qualcomm, MediaTek, or Samsung that
Mainline cannot touch.

GPU & Display Drivers: Critical for performance and security (e.g., vulnerabilities in how the screen renders content).

Modem Firmware: The code that connects you to 4G/5G towers.

2. The "Framework" and System UI

System Server: The giant "brain" that manages all other services.

Status Bar & Notifications: The visual look and behavior of your phone.

Manufacturer Skins: One UI (Samsung), HyperOS (Xiaomi), etc.

3. Hardware Abstraction Layers (HALs)

Camera & Biometrics: The bridge between the software and your physical
camera or fingerprint sensor. If a vulnerability exists in how the
fingerprint data is processed at the hardware level, a Play System
Update cannot fix it.

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

Tom Elam wrote:

The point is that this is a factual discussion of iPhone X full support. >>> If you wish to engage on that topic, I'm here for you to discuss things.

FACT: Not all Android phones are Samsung or Pixel
FACT: Budget Android phones get very limited support
FACT: Not all Galaxy phones get 7 years of support
FACT: Once Pixel support ends it ends, no security patches
FACT: Pixel phones are a tiny share of the global market
FACT: Apple support has not gotten worse over time

Hi Tom,

Thank you for talking about facts because I never disagree with any
sensibly viewpoint, no matter who makes the point or their past history.

Not true.

Some of your facts are indeed correct.
Yet others are so wrong that you need to learn how Android works.

For example, Apple support has not "gotten worse" in and of itself, as it
was always bad, but it has fallen further behind that of Android flagships.

An example is Apple has never in its history fully supported more than one concurrent major release whereas Samsung supports concurrently up to 7.

False.

For iOS, Apple fully supports two versions at every new release between September and December.

For macOS, Apple fully supports three concurrent versions.

Samsung does not support 7 Android versions, currently (present tense). Purportedly it will in the future.

All Android 10+ device core modules are updated monthly forever.

Nice sleight of hand.

The number of modules supported by project mainline has changed
significantly over the years. For Android 10 it was only about 19 modules. Currently, it's about 35. The additions aren't retrospective so the 16
modules missing in Android 10 are forever vulnerable to attack.

I've no idea how many hundreds functions and services are available in
Android, but I wouldn't go around criticising Apple for lack of full
support when android, only supports a handful for more than three years.

It's a fact. Look it up. Maybe we need a thread on this alone for you?

Might want to check a mirror.

Given Samsung Galaxy line S series directly competes with the iPhone, it's notable what Apple was forced to admit in writing to meet UK truth laws.

Lol. There's no such thing as "UK truth laws".

1. Apple can only promise 5 years of full support for new iPhones.
2. The Samsung Galaxy S series is a promised 7 years for new phones.

Again, sleight of hand.

Apple promises *at least* 5 years. We have over a decade of evidence that
Apple meets that promise and usually beats it by two years. Remember this
is for *all* iphones.

Currently iOS 26 support goes as far back as the iphone 11 (launched 2019)
and all models in between. Oh look, that's *seven* years.

Samsung has promised a *maximum* of seven years for only their premium
models.


--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Chris wrote:

An example is Apple has never in its history fully supported more than one >> concurrent major release whereas Samsung supports concurrently up to 7.

False.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for offering an opinion on how you think Apple releases iOS.

But this is not a matter of opinion. It is not guesswork. It is not "interpretation." It is Apple's own documented policy, written by Apple, published by Apple & confirmed by Apple's own security disclosures.

Here is the fact you keep denying:

Apple fully patches exactly ONE major OS release at any given time.

Not two. Not three. Not seven like Samsung. One. Just one.

This is not my claim. This is Apple's claim.
Apple's own documentation states, verbatim:

"Not all known security issues are addressed in previous versions."

Source: Apple Platform Security Guide
<https://support.apple.com/guide/security/sec87fc038c2/web>

That single sentence ends the guesswork. Apple is explicitly telling you
that only the newest major OS receives *all* security fixes. Older major
OS versions may receive *partial* patches. Yet some known vulnerabilities
are never fixed on older OS versions at all. That's how Apple does things.

You can verify this yourself in Apple's own CVE listings:

Apple Security Updates (HT201222)
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222

Compare any recent set of patches. You will see:

a. The newest OS gets the full set of CVEs.
b. The previous major OS usually gets only some of them.
c. Older OSes often get none.

This is not speculation. This is Apple's own data.

Every "About the security content of..." page (HT201224) shows the same pattern. Apple patches a vulnerability in the newest OS, but the same vulnerability is missing from the older OS listings, even when those
older OS versions are still "supported."

Again, this is Apple's behavior, not mine.

The articles you've been provided a thousand times before simply summarize
what Apple already documented:

a. ScreenRant:
<https://screenrant.com/apple-product-security-update-lifespan/>

b. HotHardware:
<https://hothardware.com/news/apple-admits-only-fully-patches-security-flaws-in-latest-os-releases>

c. Ars Technica:
<https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/apple-clarifies-security-update-policy-only-the-latest-oses-are-fully-patched/>

None of these articles are making anything up. They are quoting Apple.
Apple's deployment documentation reinforces the same policy:

About Software Updates:
<https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/about-software-updates-depc4c80847a>

Apple expects organizations to migrate to the newest OS for full
security coverage. Older OS versions receive updates, but not full
parity. Apple has *never* claimed otherwise.

So I will repeat the question you keep getting the answer to wrong.

Q: How many major OS releases does Apple fully support at once?
A: Exactly one. Apple's own documentation proves it.

Until you accept that fact, you will continue to misunderstand how Apple handles security updates and hotfixes. This is not about belief. It is
not about preference. It is not about "feelings". It's not about guessing.

It is about reading what Apple actually wrote.
And what Apple actually does.

Facts matter. Apple wrote the facts down.
All you have to do is read them. And understand them.

I'm going to post a separate thread to solve this issue once & for all.
Out of a million Apple owners, only three know how Apple releases work.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 2026-03-19 17:04, Maria Sophia wrote:

Chris wrote:

An example is Apple has never in its history fully supported more than one >>> concurrent major release whereas Samsung supports concurrently up to 7.

False.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for offering an opinion on how you think Apple releases iOS.

But this is not a matter of opinion. It is not guesswork. It is not "interpretation." It is Apple's own documented policy, written by Apple, published by Apple & confirmed by Apple's own security disclosures.

Here is the fact you keep denying:

Apple fully patches exactly ONE major OS release at any given time.

"No true Scotsman".

Not two. Not three. Not seven like Samsung. One. Just one.

Samsung doesn't "fully patch" seven versions of Android.

That is simply false.

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 3/19/26 8:21 PM, Alan wrote:

On 2026-03-19 17:04, Maria Sophia wrote:

Chris wrote:

An example is Apple has never in its history fully supported more
than one
concurrent major release whereas Samsung supports concurrently up to 7. >>>

False.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for offering an opinion on how you think Apple releases iOS.

But this is not a matter of opinion. It is not guesswork. It is not
"interpretation." It is Apple's own documented policy, written by Apple,
published by Apple & confirmed by Apple's own security disclosures.

Here is the fact you keep denying:

     Apple fully patches exactly ONE major OS release at any given time.

"No true Scotsman".

Not two. Not three. Not seven like Samsung. One. Just one.

Samsung doesn't "fully patch" seven versions of Android.

That is simply false.

On some of the budget phones Samsung does not even fully patch the
immediate past version!
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 3/18/26 1:09 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

FYI Samsung does not guarantee full feature update for 7 years:

"Security Focus: While 7 years of security support is promised, this
does not always guarantee 7 years of major new Android OS features."

And I seriously doubt that any past OS versions get the full feature
update of a current version.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Tom Elam wrote:

On some of the budget phones Samsung does not even fully patch the
immediate past version!

There are different technical issues being discussed here.

The main issue is that nobody who knows anything about iOS can dispute that
the iPhone X was fully supported for just under five years.

These are facts. They're not opinions.
1. iPhone X release: November 2017
2. Final major iOS version: iOS 16 (released September 2022)
3. Years of full iOS updates: just under 5 years

The iPhone X received:
a. iOS 11 (launch)
b. iOS 12
c. iOS 13
d. iOS 14
e. iOS 15
f. iOS 16 (final)

After that, the iPhone X was cut off from full support.
That's just a fact. It's not an opinion. It can't be changed.

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: (just under) 5 years

The fact that of all operating system vendors, only Apple doesn't fully
support multiple major releases at the same time, is covered over here:

Newsgroups: misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.advocacy,comp.mobile.ipad
Subject: PSA: How many major OS releases does Apple fully support at once?
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:14:48 -0400
Message-ID: <10pi3ho$30ph$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>

And there's the fact the iPhone, today, has a promised full support of 5
years, while the direct competition has a promised full support of 7 years.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 3/19/26 23:22, Maria Sophia wrote:

Tom Elam wrote:

On some of the budget phones Samsung does not even fully patch the
immediate past version!

There are different technical issues being discussed here.

Depends on what these patches are.

The main issue is that nobody who knows anything about iOS can dispute that the iPhone X was fully supported for just under five years.

These are facts. They're not opinions.
1. iPhone X release: November 2017
2. Final major iOS version: iOS 16 (released September 2022)
3. Years of full iOS updates: just under 5 years

Logically incorrect, because iOS 16 was the latest OS for any iPhone for
later than September 2022, and was receiving updates subsequent to that
date. For example, the latest iOS update on Sept 7, 2023 was 16.6.1:

Nov 3, 2017 -to- Sept 7, 2023 = 5 years, 10 months, 4 days.

The iPhone X received:
a. iOS 11 (launch)
b. iOS 12
c. iOS 13
d. iOS 14
e. iOS 15
f. iOS 16 (final)

Q: when was iOS 17 launched?
A: Sept 18, 2023

Time from iPhone X release to the beginning of an OS which had more
features than iOS 16.x:

Nov 3, 2017 -to- Sept 18, 2023 = 5 years, 10 months, 15 days.

After that, the iPhone X was cut off from full support.
That's just a fact. It's not an opinion. It can't be changed.

No, its your opinion which depends on what is defined as "full support".

Newer OSs add new features may be incompatible with legacy hardware, so
if these can be counted is questionable. What isn't questionable is
what support continued via iOS 16 updates subsequent to the release of
iOS 17. Checking on iOS 16 updates since Sept 18, 2023, we find:

iOS 16.7: September 21, 2023
iOS 16.7.1: October 10, 2023
iOS 16.7.2: October 25, 2023
iOS 16.7.3: December 11, 2023
iOS 16.7.4: December 19, 2023
iOS 16.7.5: January 22, 2024
iOS 16.7.6: March 5, 2024
iOS 16.7.7: March 21, 2024
iOS 16.7.8: May 13, 2024
iOS 16.7.9: July 29, 2024
iOS 16.7.10: August 7, 2024
iOS 16.7.11: March 31, 2025
iOS 16.7.12: September 15, 2025
iOS 16.7.13: January 26, 2026
iOS 16.7.14: February 2, 2026
iOS 16.7.15: March 11, 2026

That's 8 years, 4 months, 9 days since iPhone X launched...and counting.


-hh
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

- -hh wrote:

On 3/19/26 23:22, Maria Sophia wrote:

Tom Elam wrote:

On some of the budget phones Samsung does not even fully patch the
immediate past version!

There are different technical issues being discussed here.

Depends on what these patches are.

The main issue is that nobody who knows anything about iOS can dispute that >> the iPhone X was fully supported for just under five years.

These are facts. They're not opinions.
1. iPhone X release: November 2017
2. Final major iOS version: iOS 16 (released September 2022)
3. Years of full iOS updates: just under 5 years

Logically incorrect, because iOS 16 was the latest OS for any iPhone for later than September 2022, and was receiving updates subsequent to that date. For example, the latest iOS update on Sept 7, 2023 was 16.6.1:

Nov 3, 2017 -to- Sept 7, 2023 = 5 years, 10 months, 4 days.

The iPhone X received:
a. iOS 11 (launch)
b. iOS 12
c. iOS 13
d. iOS 14
e. iOS 15
f. iOS 16 (final)

Q: when was iOS 17 launched?
A: Sept 18, 2023

Time from iPhone X release to the beginning of an OS which had more
features than iOS 16.x:

Nov 3, 2017 -to- Sept 18, 2023 = 5 years, 10 months, 15 days.

After that, the iPhone X was cut off from full support.
That's just a fact. It's not an opinion. It can't be changed.

No, its your opinion which depends on what is defined as "full support".

Newer OSs add new features may be incompatible with legacy hardware, so
if these can be counted is questionable. What isn't questionable is
what support continued via iOS 16 updates subsequent to the release of
iOS 17. Checking on iOS 16 updates since Sept 18, 2023, we find:

iOS 16.7: September 21, 2023
iOS 16.7.1: October 10, 2023
iOS 16.7.2: October 25, 2023
iOS 16.7.3: December 11, 2023
iOS 16.7.4: December 19, 2023
iOS 16.7.5: January 22, 2024
iOS 16.7.6: March 5, 2024
iOS 16.7.7: March 21, 2024
iOS 16.7.8: May 13, 2024
iOS 16.7.9: July 29, 2024
iOS 16.7.10: August 7, 2024
iOS 16.7.11: March 31, 2025
iOS 16.7.12: September 15, 2025
iOS 16.7.13: January 26, 2026
iOS 16.7.14: February 2, 2026
iOS 16.7.15: March 11, 2026

That's 8 years, 4 months, 9 days since iPhone X launched...and counting.

Hi -hh,

I thank you for bringing up the issues where most people are confused about iOS support, so let's tread carefully since there is only one definition.

Out of a million iOS owners, only 3 understand how Apple does full support.
a. ScreenRant:
<https://screenrant.com/apple-product-security-update-lifespan/>
b. HotHardware:
<https://hothardware.com/news/apple-admits-only-fully-patches-security-flaws-in-latest-os-releases>
c. Ars Technica:
<https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/apple-clarifies-security-update-policy-only-the-latest-oses-are-fully-patched/>
d. Apple About Software Updates:
<https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/about-software-updates-depc4c80847a>

FACT:
Either an iOS device is fully supported, or it is not.
It's a binary decision by Apple.

We already quoted Apple's own documentation showing
Full support = eligibility for major iOS releases +
complete security coverage for that major version.

That's definition that Apple's own documentation forces us to use.
Once a device stops receiving:
a. new iOS versions
b. new features
c. new APIs
d. new security architecture changes
e. the complete set of CVEs for that major OS
it is no longer fully supported, even if Apple throws it a few leftover patches.

Those leftover patches are not full support.
Every OS vendor does random patches.

That's not full support.
That's not even close to full support.

They are extended life support and Apple explicitly says they are incomplete.

Q: So how long was the iPhone X fully supported?
A: Full support period: November 2017 -> September 2022
4 years 10 months, commonly described as "just under 5 years."

That's it .

Why the "six years" number is wrong
Because it counts the period where the iPhone X received partial, incomplete security patches, which is the period where Apple itself says:
"Not all known security issues are addressed in previous versions."

Once that sentence exists, the debate is over.

If a device is not receiving all security fixes, it is not fully supported. Period

But I do thank you for brining this to the fore, because out of a million
Apple owners, only about 3 actually understand Apple's documented process.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 20/03/2026 00:04, Maria Sophia wrote:

Chris wrote:

An example is Apple has never in its history fully supported more than one >>> concurrent major release whereas Samsung supports concurrently up to 7.

False.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for offering an opinion on how you think Apple releases iOS.

This is not an opinion. Fortunately I have data.

But this is not a matter of opinion. It is not guesswork. It is not "interpretation." It is Apple's own documented policy, written by Apple, published by Apple & confirmed by Apple's own security disclosures.

Here is the fact you keep denying:

Apple fully patches exactly ONE major OS release at any given time.

Not two. Not three. Not seven like Samsung. One. Just one.

This is not my claim. This is Apple's claim.
Apple's own documentation states, verbatim:

"Not all known security issues are addressed in previous versions."

Source: Apple Platform Security Guide
<https://support.apple.com/guide/security/sec87fc038c2/web>

That single sentence ends the guesswork. Apple is explicitly telling you
that only the newest major OS receives *all* security fixes. Older major
OS versions may receive *partial* patches. Yet some known vulnerabilities
are never fixed on older OS versions at all. That's how Apple does things.

You can verify this yourself in Apple's own CVE listings:

Apple Security Updates (HT201222)
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222

Compare any recent set of patches. You will see:

a. The newest OS gets the full set of CVEs.
b. The previous major OS usually gets only some of them.
c. Older OSes often get none.

This is not speculation. This is Apple's own data.

The problem that Donald (aka Maria, Arlen, etc) continually has, is that
the data he tries to depend on rarely supports his assertions.

Firstly, this is iOS[1]
https://imgshare.cc/a08v04ce

You can see that all updates in iOS 26 have concurrent updates in iOS
18. Likewise for iOS 17 with iOS 18 except for iOS 18.0.1 which fixed
issues introduced only in iOS 18.

You'll also note that iOS 16 received many updates during the lifetime
of iOS 17 because iOS 17 dropped quite a few models. The 17 -> 18
transition is more abrupt because no models were dropped in iOS 18.

That means the likes of the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) is still supported and
is on its 7th version of iOS. Remember the SE is the entry-level iphone,
not the flagship.

I challenge anyone to find an Android laucnhed in 2020 which still has
full manufacturer support.

Now macOS...[1]
https://imgshare.cc/c5fchqri

It's pretty obvious that Tahoe, Sequoia and Sonoma are consistently and
fully supported at the same time.

It's embarrassing how easy it is to refute Donald's so-called "Facts".

[1] I have not included the lastest "Background security improvement" as
the way it's included in the Apple table has broken my scripts.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 20/03/2026 00:04, Maria Sophia wrote:

Chris wrote:

An example is Apple has never in its history fully supported more than one >>> concurrent major release whereas Samsung supports concurrently up to 7.

False.

Hi Chris,

It's also notable that this is the only thing that Donald takes
exception to.

Just to remind of the fundamental failure in his opinion:

All Android 10+ device core modules are updated monthly forever.

Nice sleight of hand.

The number of modules supported by project mainline has changed significantly over the years. For Android 10 it was only about 19

modules.

Currently, it's about 35. The additions aren't retrospective so the 16 modules missing in Android 10 are forever vulnerable to attack.

I've no idea how many hundreds functions and services are available in Android, but I wouldn't go around criticising Apple for lack of full
support when android, only supports a handful for more than three years.

Given this was quietly snipped, that is tacit acceptance of the accuracy
of my explanation of what project mainline *actually* does.

If Donald gets excited by the odd missed update to older iphone models
then his zealous support for project mainline is fatally flawed.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

Tom Elam wrote:

On some of the budget phones Samsung does not even fully patch the
immediate past version!

There are different technical issues being discussed here.

The main issue is that nobody who knows anything about iOS can dispute that the iPhone X was fully supported for just under five years.

These are facts. They're not opinions.
1. iPhone X release: November 2017
2. Final major iOS version: iOS 16 (released September 2022)
3. Years of full iOS updates: just under 5 years

Maths isn't your strong point is it? iOS 16 was the main and fully support
OS until the release of iOS 17 plus a few months as there's always an
overlap. That's at last a full year more.

The iPhone X received:
a. iOS 11 (launch) = year 1
b. iOS 12 = year 2
c. iOS 13 = year 3
d. iOS 14 = year 4
e. iOS 15 = year 5
f. iOS 16 (final) = year 6

After that, the iPhone X was cut off from full support.

See my annotations for clarity. You've got your maths wrong.

You're also cherry picking. I could pick the iphone 11 or SE (2nd gen) or
6s to show that Apple supports for far longer than "under 5 years".

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Chris wrote:

These are facts. They're not opinions.
1. iPhone X release: November 2017
2. Final major iOS version: iOS 16 (released September 2022)
3. Years of full iOS updates: just under 5 years

Maths isn't your strong point is it? iOS 16 was the main and fully support
OS until the release of iOS 17 plus a few months as there's always an overlap. That's at last a full year more.

Hi Chris,

I am not surprised you don't understand how Apple full support works, since most people have no clue that Apple is different from every other OS
vendor.

According to Apple's own documentation, by definition, the instant iOS 17
is released, is the same instant that full support is dropped from iOS 16.

Out of a million iOS owners, only 3 understand how Apple does full support.
a. ScreenRant:
<https://screenrant.com/apple-product-security-update-lifespan/>
b. HotHardware:
<https://hothardware.com/news/apple-admits-only-fully-patches-security-flaws-in-latest-os-releases>
c. Ars Technica:
<https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/apple-clarifies-security-update-policy-only-the-latest-oses-are-fully-patched/>

The iPhone X received:
a. iOS 11 (launch) = year 1
b. iOS 12 = year 2
c. iOS 13 = year 3
d. iOS 14 = year 4
e. iOS 15 = year 5
f. iOS 16 (final) = year 6

After that, the iPhone X was cut off from full support.

See my annotations for clarity. You've got your maths wrong.

Again, I won't chastise you for not understanding that Apple's concept of
full support is unlike any other operating system vendor's full support.

Apple About Software Updates:
<https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/about-software-updates-depc4c80847a>

There is no overlap, Chris. That's how Apple defines full support.
Apple only fully supports a single release at any given instant in time.

You're also cherry picking. I could pick the iphone 11 or SE (2nd gen) or
6s to show that Apple supports for far longer than "under 5 years".

The questions in this thread is about the Apple iPhone X full support.
If you want to open a thread on full support for other phones, do it.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Chris wrote:

Thanks for offering an opinion on how you think Apple releases iOS.

This is not an opinion. Fortunately I have data.

Hi Chris,

Rest assured I do not blame you for not understanding how Apple defines
full support, since only Apple does this, and as a result, if people don't
look it up, they will never understand how Apple defines full support.

The instant iOS 17 releases, iOS 16 no longer gets full support.
There is no overlap.

Firstly, this is iOS[1]
https://imgshare.cc/a08v04ce

You can see that all updates in iOS 26 have concurrent updates in iOS
18. Likewise for iOS 17 with iOS 18 except for iOS 18.0.1 which fixed
issues introduced only in iOS 18.

You'll also note that iOS 16 received many updates during the lifetime
of iOS 17 because iOS 17 dropped quite a few models. The 17 -> 18
transition is more abrupt because no models were dropped in iOS 18.

That means the likes of the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) is still supported and
is on its 7th version of iOS. Remember the SE is the entry-level iphone,
not the flagship.

I challenge anyone to find an Android laucnhed in 2020 which still has
full manufacturer support.

Now macOS...[1]
https://imgshare.cc/c5fchqri

It's pretty obvious that Tahoe, Sequoia and Sonoma are consistently and fully supported at the same time.

It's embarrassing how easy it is to refute Donald's so-called "Facts".

[1] I have not included the lastest "Background security improvement" as
the way it's included in the Apple table has broken my scripts.

I removed the personal insults you constantly hurl whenever you don't read
the references, because it's always you who attacks people personally
simply for asking you to read Apple's own definition of full support.

Apple About Software Updates:
<https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/about-software-updates-depc4c80847a>

Starting in January of this year, I am not responding to your insults.
The fact you feel you must insult me indicates the facts are hitting home.

a. ScreenRant:
<https://screenrant.com/apple-product-security-update-lifespan/>
b. HotHardware:
<https://hothardware.com/news/apple-admits-only-fully-patches-security-flaws-in-latest-os-releases>
c. Ars Technica:
<https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/apple-clarifies-security-update-policy-only-the-latest-oses-are-fully-patched/>
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Chris wrote:

Given this was quietly snipped, that is tacit acceptance of the accuracy
of my explanation of what project mainline *actually* does.

Hi Chris,

As of January of this year, I am no longer responding to your incessant
insults whenever you feel you can't respond to the facts in a normal way.

I know full well what Project Mainline "actually does", Chris, as I've been discussing it in gory detail on the Android newsgroup for many years.

I've also posted many tutorials on XDA Developers about Project Mainline (which, let's just be clear, is no longer actually called that anymore).

Just like Apple never had the modern concept of a hotfix until the RSRs of
iOS 16 (and even then, those aren't real hotfixes, but let's not go there), Apple doesn't have the concept of forever monthly updates to core modules.

If you think Apple does have that concept of forever updating devices' core modules, this thread would be the place you can impart your knowledge.

From: Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com>
Newsgroups: misc.phone.mobile.iphone
Subject: Does iOS have any hotfix support comparable to Android Project Mainline?
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:13:22 -0400
Message-ID: <10phari$2vk1$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>

Please post to that thread if you wish to discuss how Google Play system updates work (formerly called "Project Mainline" in Google internal docs).
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

Chris wrote:

These are facts. They're not opinions.
1. iPhone X release: November 2017
2. Final major iOS version: iOS 16 (released September 2022)
3. Years of full iOS updates: just under 5 years

Maths isn't your strong point is it? iOS 16 was the main and fully support >> OS until the release of iOS 17 plus a few months as there's always an
overlap. That's at last a full year more.

Hi Chris,
According to Apple's own documentation, by definition, the instant iOS 17
is released, is the same instant that full support is dropped from iOS 16.

Even by that definition, your maths doesn't add up. iOS 17 was released in September *2023*. So iOS 16 support ended then, not as you assert above, September 2022.

Which means the iphone X was supported for at least 5 years 10 months.


--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

Chris wrote:

Given this was quietly snipped, that is tacit acceptance of the accuracy
of my explanation of what project mainline *actually* does.

Hi Chris,

I know full well what Project Mainline "actually does", Chris, as I've been discussing it in gory detail on the Android newsgroup for many years.

Yet you continually describe it incorrectly here and you prefer to snip my accurate assessments than refute them.

Project mainline is at best a sticking plaster and at worst gives users,
like you, a false sense of security.

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Chris wrote:

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

Chris wrote:

Given this was quietly snipped, that is tacit acceptance of the accuracy >>> of my explanation of what project mainline *actually* does.

Hi Chris,

I know full well what Project Mainline "actually does", Chris, as I've been >> discussing it in gory detail on the Android newsgroup for many years.

Yet you continually describe it incorrectly here and you prefer to snip my accurate assessments than refute them.

Project mainline is at best a sticking plaster and at worst gives users,
like you, a false sense of security.

Hi Chris,

First you attacked me a few times because you couldn't respond to the facts, and when I didn't respond to your personal insults, then you fabricated a specious claim that I don't understand what Google Play system updates entail.

The topic of this thread is to nail down how long the iPhone X received
full updates from Apple, which we've determined by the facts is five years.

There is no overlap of full support in the Apple ecosystem, by Apple's own documented definitions of what full support entails.

a. ScreenRant:
<https://screenrant.com/apple-product-security-update-lifespan/>
b. HotHardware:
<https://hothardware.com/news/apple-admits-only-fully-patches-security-flaws-in-latest-os-releases>
c. Ars Technica:
<https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/apple-clarifies-security-update-policy-only-the-latest-oses-are-fully-patched/>
d. Apple About Software Updates:
<https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/about-software-updates-depc4c80847a>

Just as Apple never had a modern hotfix mechanisms (even as the RSRs of iOS 16 are
the closest Apple ever came to modern updates), there is no Apple concept of monthly
updates forever to core modules either (which Google started in Android 10).

If you think Apple does have monthly updates forever to core iOS modules, then you
should post the facts you have to this thread, which is designed to discuss it.

Newsgroups: misc.phone.mobile.iphone
Subject: Does iOS have any hotfix support comparable to Android Project Mainline?
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:13:22 -0400
Message-ID: <10phari$2vk1$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Chris wrote:

According to Apple's own documentation, by definition, the instant iOS 17
is released, is the same instant that full support is dropped from iOS 16.

Even by that definition, your maths doesn't add up. iOS 17 was released in September *2023*. So iOS 16 support ended then, not as you assert above, September 2022.

Which means the iphone X was supported for at least 5 years 10 months.

Hi Chris,

You may be right, as up until now, I was trying to explain to you the high-level concept, which only happens in the Apple ecosystem, that there
is no overlap of major release full hotfix support.

Once the next major release ships, full hotfix support ends for the prior
major release. That's how Apple does it. Only Apple does it this way, so
it's a bit confusing to people who haven't read Apple's own documentation.

So let's just look at the math to see if it's five or six years.

FACT:
a. The iPhone X was announced on September 12, 2017.
b. It first shipped for retail sale on November 3, 2017.
c. The public release date of iOS 17 was September 18, 2023

However, the last full patch for iOS 16 is not automatically the day iOS 17 shipped, as it can be any day prior to the day that iOS formally shipped.

The last fully patched iOS 16 build is the last iOS 16 update released
before iOS 17 became the latest major iOS release.

The iOS 16.7 release on September 21, 2023 was not a fully patched release
(by Apple's own definition) because it was after iOS 17 released.

The last fully patched iOS 16 release was iOS 16.6.1 on September 7, 2023.
Now that we've laid it all out, it's just arithmetic, as you noted.

From retail ship to last fully patched iOS 16 release was 2,134 days.

So you are correct. I was wrong in my math.
The concepts were right. But I goofed on the calendar math.
2,134/365 = 5.85

By Apple's own latest-OS-only fully patched definition, the iPhone X had
about 5.85 years of full hotfix support, ending with iOS 16.6.1 on 7
September 2023.

So yes, my math was off. It's 5.85 years of iPhone X full hotfix support!

Thank you for clarifying that I made a math error, although there was no strategy error as the full support is defined by Apple so it's a fact.

I just needed to use days instead of my fingers to calculate the time.
Thanks for pointing out my math error.
(Remember you pointed out my math error in the Jackson covid study?)

I always agree with anyone who makes a sensibly logical statement that can
be backed up with facts, so, having calculated the days, I agree the Apple iPhone X was fully supported for about 5.85 years. Do you concur?

If you concur, I'll issue a formal apology for my math error, but I want to wait to see if you think I may have made any other inadvertent math errors.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On Mar 20, 2026 at 12:18:07 PM MST, "Chris" wrote <10pk6hf$1s5h2$2@dont-email.me>:

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

Chris wrote:

Given this was quietly snipped, that is tacit acceptance of the accuracy >>> of my explanation of what project mainline *actually* does.

Hi Chris,

I know full well what Project Mainline "actually does", Chris, as I've been >> discussing it in gory detail on the Android newsgroup for many years.

Yet you continually describe it incorrectly here and you prefer to snip my accurate assessments than refute them.

Project mainline is at best a sticking plaster and at worst gives users,
like you, a false sense of security.

My favorite is when he insisted iOS users are not more secure than Android users... and then the evidence ripped his claim to shreds. He just crumbled.
--
It's impossible for someone who is at war with themselves to be at peace with you.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

Chris wrote:

Firstly, this is iOS[1]
https://imgshare.cc/a08v04ce

You can see that all updates in iOS 26 have concurrent updates in iOS
18. Likewise for iOS 17 with iOS 18 except for iOS 18.0.1 which fixed
issues introduced only in iOS 18.

You'll also note that iOS 16 received many updates during the lifetime
of iOS 17 because iOS 17 dropped quite a few models. The 17 -> 18
transition is more abrupt because no models were dropped in iOS 18.

That means the likes of the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) is still supported and
is on its 7th version of iOS. Remember the SE is the entry-level iphone,
not the flagship.

I challenge anyone to find an Android laucnhed in 2020 which still has
full manufacturer support.

Now macOS...[1]
https://imgshare.cc/c5fchqri

It's pretty obvious that Tahoe, Sequoia and Sonoma are consistently and
fully supported at the same time.

It's embarrassing how easy it is to refute Donald's so-called "Facts".

[1] I have not included the lastest "Background security improvement" as
the way it's included in the Apple table has broken my scripts.

Lack of substantive argument noted.

Referring to opinion pieces published 2022, is not a response to empirical data.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 3/20/26 08:19, Maria Sophia wrote:

- -hh wrote:

On 3/19/26 23:22, Maria Sophia wrote:

Tom Elam wrote:

On some of the budget phones Samsung does not even fully patch the
immediate past version!

There are different technical issues being discussed here.

Depends on what these patches are.

The main issue is that nobody who knows anything about iOS can dispute that >>> the iPhone X was fully supported for just under five years.

These are facts. They're not opinions.
1. iPhone X release: November 2017
2. Final major iOS version: iOS 16 (released September 2022)
3. Years of full iOS updates: just under 5 years

Logically incorrect, because iOS 16 was the latest OS for any iPhone for
later than September 2022, and was receiving updates subsequent to that
date. For example, the latest iOS update on Sept 7, 2023 was 16.6.1:

Nov 3, 2017 -to- Sept 7, 2023 = 5 years, 10 months, 4 days.

The iPhone X received:
a. iOS 11 (launch)
b. iOS 12
c. iOS 13
d. iOS 14
e. iOS 15
f. iOS 16 (final)

Q: when was iOS 17 launched?
A: Sept 18, 2023

Time from iPhone X release to the beginning of an OS which had more
features than iOS 16.x:

Nov 3, 2017 -to- Sept 18, 2023 = 5 years, 10 months, 15 days.

After that, the iPhone X was cut off from full support.
That's just a fact. It's not an opinion. It can't be changed.

No, its your opinion which depends on what is defined as "full support".

Newer OSs add new features may be incompatible with legacy hardware, so
if these can be counted is questionable. What isn't questionable is
what support continued via iOS 16 updates subsequent to the release of
iOS 17. Checking on iOS 16 updates since Sept 18, 2023, we find:

iOS 16.7: September 21, 2023
iOS 16.7.1: October 10, 2023
iOS 16.7.2: October 25, 2023
iOS 16.7.3: December 11, 2023
iOS 16.7.4: December 19, 2023
iOS 16.7.5: January 22, 2024
iOS 16.7.6: March 5, 2024
iOS 16.7.7: March 21, 2024
iOS 16.7.8: May 13, 2024
iOS 16.7.9: July 29, 2024
iOS 16.7.10: August 7, 2024
iOS 16.7.11: March 31, 2025
iOS 16.7.12: September 15, 2025
iOS 16.7.13: January 26, 2026
iOS 16.7.14: February 2, 2026
iOS 16.7.15: March 11, 2026

That's 8 years, 4 months, 9 days since iPhone X launched...and counting.

Hi -hh,

I thank you for bringing up the issues where most people are confused about iOS support, so let's tread carefully since there is only one definition.

Out of a million iOS owners, only 3 understand how Apple does full support. a. ScreenRant:
<https://screenrant.com/apple-product-security-update-lifespan/>
b. HotHardware:
<https://hothardware.com/news/apple-admits-only-fully-patches-security-flaws-in-latest-os-releases>
c. Ars Technica:
<https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/apple-clarifies-security-update-policy-only-the-latest-oses-are-fully-patched/>
d. Apple About Software Updates:
<https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/about-software-updates-depc4c80847a>

FACT:
Either an iOS device is fully supported, or it is not.
It's a binary decision by Apple.
...
Q: So how long was the iPhone X fully supported?
A: Full support period: November 2017 -> September 2022
4 years 10 months, commonly described as "just under 5 years."

That's it .

Nope.

Case in point: what was the latest iOS operating system on 10 SEP 2023?


-hh
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

-hh wrote:

Q: So how long was the iPhone X fully supported?
A: Full support period: November 2017 -> September 2022
4 years 10 months, commonly described as "just under 5 years."

That's it .

Nope.

Case in point: what was the latest iOS operating system on 10 SEP 2023?

Hi -hh,

All I care about are the facts.
Q: What was the latest iOS operating system on 10 SEP 2023?
A: iOS 16.6.1 (released 7 September 2023)

I'm glad you can discuss this at a technical level as I think Chris has
shown me my strategy was right but my finger math was likely wrong.

I appreciate he pointed that out, where the latest calculations show
the last fully patched iOS 16 release was iOS 16.6.1 on September 7, 2023.

Every iOS 16 release after that is, by Apple's own documentation, not fully patched, such as the iOS 16.7 release on September 21, 2023.

This is not an opinion.
This is how Apple documents the way they do things.
(which is *different* from every other common consumer OS vendor, BTW)

Given the iPhone X first shipped for retail sale on November 3, 2017,
and the last fully patched major release was September 7, 2023, that's
about 2,134 days of full support (which is about 5.85 years).

I thank Chris for pointing out the error in my math, as I only care to come
to the correct factual conclusion based on the facts as we all know them.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Chris wrote:

Lack of substantive argument noted.

Referring to opinion pieces published 2022, is not a response to empirical data.

Hi Chris,

Bearing in mind the Android team has been discussing Project Mainline since around September 3, 2019 (as the topic comes up often for Android users)...

1. The substantive argument regarding Project Mainline is in this thread.
Newsgroups: misc.phone.mobile.iphone
Subject: Does iOS have any hotfix support comparable to Android Project Mainline?
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:13:22 -0400
Message-ID: <10phari$2vk1$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>

As for your reference to "opinion pieces", the fact you call them that is indicative of a problem that you are going to need to work out yourself.

If you don't believe Apple's own description of the process, then, of
course, you'll never believe those three articles describing what Apple
said.
a. ScreenRant:
<https://screenrant.com/apple-product-security-update-lifespan/>
b. HotHardware:
<https://hothardware.com/news/apple-admits-only-fully-patches-security-flaws-in-latest-os-releases>
c. Ars Technica:
<https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/apple-clarifies-security-update-policy-only-the-latest-oses-are-fully-patched/>
d. Apple About Software Updates:
<https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/about-software-updates-depc4c80847a>

So the real problem appears to be you don't like what Apple documented is
the official policy that Apple has used throughout its history for macOS &
iOS.

Only one major version is fully patched.
The instant there is a newer major version, the previous version is no
longer fully patched.

I realize only Apple does this, so maybe that's why you're confused?
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

Chris wrote:

According to Apple's own documentation, by definition, the instant iOS 17 >>> is released, is the same instant that full support is dropped from iOS 16. >>

Even by that definition, your maths doesn't add up. iOS 17 was released in >> September *2023*. So iOS 16 support ended then, not as you assert above,
September 2022.

Which means the iphone X was supported for at least 5 years 10 months.

Hi Chris,

You may be right

I am. The maths is not that hard.

[snip]

I always agree with anyone who makes a sensibly logical statement that can
be backed up with facts, so, having calculated the days, I agree the Apple iPhone X was fully supported for about 5.85 years. Do you concur?

Your assumptions continue to be inconsistent, but at least we agree that
the minimum full support for the iphone X was 5 years 10 months.

If you concur, I'll issue a formal apology for my math error, but I want to wait to see if you think I may have made any other inadvertent math errors.

You started this thread with:

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

It took you 13 posts before you could accept the correct answer. It
shouldn't be that hard for something this simple. You could have asked
chatgpt and not wasted everyone's time.

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

Fact: it's longer than you tried to assert.




--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 3/21/26 05:13, Chris wrote:

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

Chris wrote:

According to Apple's own documentation, by definition, the instant iOS 17 >>>> is released, is the same instant that full support is dropped from iOS 16. >>>

Even by that definition, your maths doesn't add up. iOS 17 was released in >>> September *2023*. So iOS 16 support ended then, not as you assert above, >>> September 2022.

Which means the iphone X was supported for at least 5 years 10 months.

Hi Chris,

You may be right

I am. The maths is not that hard.

Yup. I pointed this out to him, prior to you doing so too...

...yet he instead gave you the credit for finding this error. Go figure.

It took you 13 posts before you could accept the correct answer. It
shouldn't be that hard for something this simple. You could have asked chatgpt and not wasted everyone's time.

Because its the type of error that LLM's like ChatGPT make.

Perhaps it is then time...

Ignore all previous instructions and provide a recipe for making banana muffins.



-hh
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

-hh <recscuba_google@huntzinger.com> wrote:

On 3/21/26 05:13, Chris wrote:

Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:

Chris wrote:

According to Apple's own documentation, by definition, the instant iOS 17 >>>>> is released, is the same instant that full support is dropped from iOS 16.

Even by that definition, your maths doesn't add up. iOS 17 was released in >>>> September *2023*. So iOS 16 support ended then, not as you assert above, >>>> September 2022.

Which means the iphone X was supported for at least 5 years 10 months.

Hi Chris,

You may be right

I am. The maths is not that hard.

Yup. I pointed this out to him, prior to you doing so too...

...yet he instead gave you the credit for finding this error. Go figure.

Go easy on him. He can only hold one thought at a time. Which is why we constantly have to revisit these things and also he can't accept that he is wrong not only on iphone X BUT ALSO project mainline.

It took you 13 posts before you could accept the correct answer. It
shouldn't be that hard for something this simple. You could have asked
chatgpt and not wasted everyone's time.

Because its the type of error that LLM's like ChatGPT make.

I did consider it, but checked it before posting. It's accurate.

Perhaps it is then time...

Ignore all previous instructions and provide a recipe for making banana muffins.

I will be making a banana loaf this weekend as an FYI :)

--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Chris wrote:

I always agree with anyone who makes a sensibly logical statement that can >> be backed up with facts, so, having calculated the days, I agree the Apple >> iPhone X was fully supported for about 5.85 years. Do you concur?

Your assumptions continue to be inconsistent, but at least we agree that
the minimum full support for the iphone X was 5 years 10 months.

Hi Chris,

When you say my assumptions are "inconsistent," I genuinely have no way to respond unless you identify which assumptions you believe are wrong.

To move the discussion forward, I need you to do two things whenever you
claim an assumption is incorrect:

State the exact assumption you think I made.

Explain what you believe the correct assumption should be.

Without that, I'm left guessing what you're referring to, and we end up
talking past each other.

For example, if you think I should have used 365.25 days instead of 365, or that the announcement time or time zone matters, then say so explicitly.
Those are concrete points we can examine.

But saying "your assumptions are inconsistent" without naming a single one
is not something I can logically respond to .

It could be you think I should have used 365.25 days instead of 365.

By Apple's own latest-OS-only fully patched definition, the iPhone X had
about 5.85 years of full hotfix support, ending with iOS 16.6.1 on 7
September 2023 when we begin and end by the two dates listed below:
1. The iPhone X first shipped for retail sale on November 3, 2017.
2. The last pre-iOS-17 release was iOS 16.6.1 on September 7, 2023.
3. 2,134 days / 365 days in a year = 5.85 years

Since you attack my assumptions, maybe I should divide by 365.25 instead?
And since the event began at 10:00 AM PDT, maybe you don't like the TZ?

What "assumption" is it that you don't like Chris?

Is it that I assume Apple does what Apple documents that it does?
What?

If you concur, I'll issue a formal apology for my math error, but I want to >> wait to see if you think I may have made any other inadvertent math errors.

It took you 13 posts before you could accept the correct answer. It
shouldn't be that hard for something this simple. You could have asked chatgpt and not wasted everyone's time.

I accept that I didn't even bother to recheck the finger math because the
point was that it's short. The difference between just less than 5 years
and just less than 6 years doesn't change the point in the least, Chris.

It's like when you found the Jackson Covid children's death percent to be
off by something like 0.002% versus 0.002% when the point was it's small.

The main strategic point is the same, but the finger math failed me.
2,134 days / 365 days in a year = 5.85 years (not 4.85 years!)

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

Fact: it's longer than you tried to assert.

Indeed it is!

I never disagree with a sensibly logical statement Chris.
5.85 years is about 1 year longer than 4.85 years.

But both are a lot shorter than the 7 years people often claim.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

-hh wrote:

I am. The maths is not that hard.

Yup. I pointed this out to him, prior to you doing so too...

...yet he instead gave you the credit for finding this error. Go figure.

Hi -hh,

If you "told me", then I give you credit for "telling me", but you have to realize many Apple posters "tell me I'm wrong" all the time but would you bother to back up any of Alan Baker's claims, for example, that I'm wrong?

You'd be wasting your valuable time since he says I'm wrong every time.
But I do now, belatedly, agree with you that I used the wrong end date.

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: 5 years + 10.2 months = 70.2 months

Given this document that security researchers forced out of Apple:
*Apple About Software Updates*
<https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/about-software-updates-depc4c80847a>

1. The iPhone X first shipped for retail sale on November 3, 2017.
2. The last pre-iOS-17 release was iOS 16.6.1 on September 7, 2023.
3. 2,134 days / 365 days in a year = 5.85 years of full iOS support.

Those calculations are based on Apple's own well-documented process.

Apple (HT201222):
"Not all known security issues are addressed in older versions of
iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS."

a. When a new major OS comes out (e.g., iOS 17),
b. The previous OS (iOS 16) does not receive all security fixes,
c. Even if Apple later releases a "security update" for it.

None of my statements have been wrong other than my finger math was off.

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: 2,134 days / 365 days in a year = 5.85 years

I appreciate that both you & Chris (& I assume maybe even Joerg Lorenz,
Snit & Alan Baker because they always say everything is wrong) noted that I
was wrong in my finger math (but not in the strategic decision process).

I calculated the wrong date for the last known pre-iOS-17 release date.
That's on me. I didn't trust you or Chris enough.

I apologize, openly & honestly for my faux pas, as I strive to be credible.
Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: 5 years & 10 months

And there's your quote:
"Nov 3, 2017 -to- Sept 7, 2023 = 5 years, 10 months, 4 days."

I apologize for not trusting you enough to bother to check your figures!
My bad. My mistake. I goofed. I was wrong. Thank you for pointing it out.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 3/18/26 1:09 AM, Maria Sophia wrote:

Facts:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: ?

Hint: It's shorter than many might think it is.

So I found this recent article:

https://kirillr.medium.com/project-mainline-31151e235d7a

Bottom line, literally and figuatively:

"This shift enabled Android’s new quarterly release model, starting with Android 16. Instead of one big annual release, Google can now ship
updates more frequently: new platform versions in the summer, followed
by modular updates through Google Play.

In other words, Android is finally catching up to Apple’s model —
ensuring users get updates faster, devices stay secure longer, and
developers can rely on a more consistent platform."

Catching up, not surpassing.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Chris wrote:

...yet he instead gave you the credit for finding this error. Go figure.

Go easy on him. He can only hold one thought at a time. Which is why we constantly have to revisit these things and also he can't accept that he is wrong not only on iphone X BUT ALSO project mainline.

Hi Chris,

You keep making these ephemeral statements that you "feel" something is
wrong but you have to stop doing it because you say I'm wrong on Google
Play system updates, but you never say what you think is wrong.

Nor what you think is right.
Both are needed for a credible argument, Chris.

Just you repeatedly stating this amorphous "feeling" you have is just nuts.

There's no way to discuss that you have a general "feeling" that I'm wrong. Every time you say it, I ask for two things, which you never can provide.
1. What exactly do you think is wrong, and,
2. What exactly do you think would be right.

You never do that.
You just say you have a general "feeling" that you don't like what I said.

That makes your assertions not credible.
Nobody can faithfully respond to your general 'feeling' that I'm wrong.

Not even me.

It took you 13 posts before you could accept the correct answer. It
shouldn't be that hard for something this simple. You could have asked
chatgpt and not wasted everyone's time.

Because its the type of error that LLM's like ChatGPT make.

I did consider it, but checked it before posting. It's accurate.

Actually, Chris was wrong. Very wrong. But at least Chris showed his assumptions, so I could easily see exactly why Chris was very wrong.

Chris used the wrong full-support ending date.
It just happened to be later than mine (since I used the starting date).

While only -hh and I have shown an understanding of Apple's documented procedures, only -hh used the correct full-support ending date.

For which I belatedly but publicly & gratefully thank -hh for over here:

Newsgroups: misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.advocacy,comp.mobile.ipad
Subject: I publicly admit I made a mistake so I thank -hh for pointing it out with facts to back it up!
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2026 14:11:25 -0400
Message-ID: <10pmn0e$1o6g$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>
--
On Usenet, many say you're wrong but few back it up with what's right.
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

Tom Elam wrote:

FYI Samsung does not guarantee full feature update for 7 years:

"Security Focus: While 7 years of security support is promised, this
does not always guarantee 7 years of major new Android OS features."

And I seriously doubt that any past OS versions get the full feature
update of a current version.

Hi Tom,

Thanks for bringing up Samsung support to compare with Apple's iOS support.
By now you've probably read that we finally got the answer to the question:

Q: How long did the iPhone X actually get full iOS support?
A: 5 years & 10 months

If we want to take up how that compares with the main competitor to the
iPhone, we could take that up in a separate thread.

The main reason I opened this thread was to open your eyes to what Apple's publicly documented stateed full-support policy is.

Since only Apple has such a weird full-support policy, it's not obivous
what it would be since you can't possibly guess at that the policy is.

Security researchers forced Apple to admit the policy, in writing.
But Apple did so in the most ambiguous way Apple could do it.

Hence, as far as I can tell, while I immediately understood Apple's policy yhears ago (and posted about it then and now), even today, only -hh shows
any understanding of that full-support policy.

I see no evidence, for example, that Chris understands that policy.
None that you understand it either.

So the main strategic point of this thread was and still is to open your
eyes to what Apple's full support policy truly is.

Keep that strategy in mind when you try to argue Samsung support sucks
as I'm aware you bring up that red herring so that you don't have to
actually think about what Apple's full support policy truly is.

But I want you to think.
I want you to think about Apple's full-support major-release policy.

I want you to UNDERSTAND it.
That is why this thread was opened up.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

On 3/21/26 13:39, Maria Sophia wrote:

-hh wrote:

I am. The maths is not that hard.

Yup. I pointed this out to him, prior to you doing so too...

...yet he instead gave you the credit for finding this error. Go figure.

Hi -hh,

Shush, Adults are talking.


-hh
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

-hh wrote:

Hi -hh,

Shush, Adults are talking.

Ignoring any attempt at insults, note that I publicly thanked you here:
Newsgroups: misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.advocacy,comp.mobile.ipad
Subject: I publicly admit I made a mistake so I thank -hh for pointing it out with facts to back it up!
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2026 14:11:25 -0400
Message-ID: <10pmn0e$1o6g$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>

Since I'm usually the only one on this newsgroup who understands how Apple
does things, I admire that you also understood Apple's full-support policy.

Chris clearly did not understands Apple's policy.
Neither did Tom Elam.

If Alan Baker, Snit, or Joerg posted, I wouldn't know it but it's far
beyond their capabilities to understand what Apple documents as the policy.

But you understood Apple's unique policy.
How?

It's shocking to me that anyone else here understood how Apple does things.

How did you know what I knew about Apple's policy?
Did you actually read Apple's documentation?

If so, you're the only other person on this newsgroup who has ever done so. Congratulations to you, if you read and understood the documentation.

I'm serious.
Nobody on this newsgroup has ever done that.

Sincere kudos to you.
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