iOS 16: Will it launch today? Should you update your iPhone now?

iOS 16 update is expected to get a release date later today at the Apple launch event. Here is all we know about it.

iOS 16 update is expected to get a launch date announcement later tonight.  (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

While today's Apple Far Out event will be all about the iPhone 14, we also expect Apple to make some announcements regarding the iOS 16 software. Announced originally at the WWDC 2022 event, the iOS 16 update is bringing some vast changes to the iPhone user experience this year. The focus is largely on a customised experience but there are some additional features that make the iOS experience smarter and easier to use. iOS 16 still remains in beta testing.

The iOS 16 update has been promised to reach a vast number of iPhone devices this year. If you use an iPhone 8 or newer model, you are bound to get the iOS 16 update as a free OTA download later this year. Sadly, users of the iPhone 6s, iPhone iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone SE 1st Gen will miss out on iOS 16. Nonetheless, we have collated some basic details on iOS 16 that most of you will be interested in this year.

iOS 16: Will it launch tonight?

That seems less likely. Every year, Apple takes over a week at least to release the latest version of iOS to all supported iPhones. Hence, Apple could be releasing the iOS 16 stable update to users earliest by next week, if things go well. Based on the beta version we have seen, a delay in release is less likely this year.

iOS 16: Should you download it ASAP?

Usually, iOS updates in their first release often tag along bugs and issues, and hence it is advised to wait until the first few reported bugs are patched. However, the beta version of iOS 16 has been relatively stable and battery life has been good as well, especially on the iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone SE 3rd Gen, and iPhone SE 2nd Gen. Hence, we think it won't be a sin to download the iOS 16 update as soon as it gets released.

iOS 16: Which iPhones will get it?

The iOS 16 update will be compatible with the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone SE 2nd Generation, and iPhone SE 3rd Generation. The iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 generation will miss out.

iOS 16: Will your iPad get it?

No, iPads will get a separate iPadOS 16 update. Sadly, the iPadOS 16 now gets it own separate release schedule and based on recent comments from Apple, it seems that the iPadOS 16 will get a delayed release. In fact, Apple could directly release the iPadOS 16.1 update almost a month later.