It is permanently capped at iOS 15 , which was released in 2021.

Constructed from 7000 Series aluminum to address previous "bendgate" concerns. Current Usability & Limitations

As of early 2026, the device is considered "vintage" by Apple. While it surprisingly received a security patch as recently as , its technical limitations are significant for modern use.

A significant performance jump at launch, providing up to 70% faster CPU speeds than its predecessor.