Apple has released iOS 17.2, the long-awaited update to its iPhone software that includes some brilliant new features. Apple’s iOS 17.2 also comes with some important security fixes, making it an important update for iPhone users.
However, the release of iOS 17.2 comes alongside another update, iOS 16.7.3—a security-only upgrade for those reluctant to move to iOS 17.
Apple has released iOS 17.2, including brilliant features and important fixes for Apple’s latest … [+]
Apple’s iOS 17 has been out for several months now—and iOS 17.2 includes some very cool new features—so which iPhone update should you choose?
As iOS 17.2 is released, here are two new reasons to update to iOS 17 and one reason to wait.
Reasons To Update To iOS 17
iOS 17.2 Includes Amazing New Features: iOS 17.2 is long-awaited partly because it includes the Journal app, which you can ensure is safe and secure by protecting your data with Face ID or Touch ID.
Another brilliant new feature in iOS 17.2 is iMessage Contact Key Verification, which allows you to keep your communications safe and protect you from spyware.
That’s in addition to more enhancements to iMessage, a Favorites update to Apple Music, new Weather app features, Messages in iCloud syncing and a new “Local Alerts” option in Emergency Alerts.
Multiple new features have been released so far in iOS 17 such as updates to messages and NameDrop. Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET, thinks StandBy “is the greatest iOS 17 feature.”
He also points to privacy and security enhancements in iOS 17, such as limited access to the private browsing tab, elimination of tracking URLs, “and brilliant secure methods for sharing passwords.”
iOS 17.2 Is More Secure Than iOS 16 And Fixes Bugs: I get it—iOS 17 has been quite buggy, including the Wi-Fi bug that’s been plaguing many iPhone users. I don’t want to speak too soon, but this issue appears to be fixed in iOS 17.2, for me, anyway. Meanwhile, in the iOS 17.2 release notes, Apple has confirmed a fix for a bug that was preventing some iPhones from wirelessly charging in some vehicles.
In addition—and this is a big one—iOS 17.2 is much more secure than iOS 16, despite Apple updating its older operating system with security fixes. This is because the iPhone maker only issues important updates to iOS 16, which come later than the iOS 17 releases.
Security researcher Josh Long points out that Apple patched over 70 vulnerabilities between iOS 17 and iOS 17.1. “Meanwhile, iOS 16.7 has gotten half as many patches,” he says.
Reasons To Stay on iOS 16
You Have An Older Device: If you are using an older iPhone, you don’t have a choice but to run iOS 16. That’s fine and you are still as secure as possible. Following the release of iOS 17, the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X can’t run the latest software. That’s in addition to the iPhone 6 and 7 series, which still run iOS 15. If you own the latter and need a secure device—and it’s an affordable option—perhaps consider getting a new iPhone at some point soon.
You Can’t Stand Bugs: While the latest version of iOS 17, iOS 17.2, seems fairly stable, many people can’t stand the bugs that come with new software releases. It could be that you’re a business user, or you get too annoyed to wait for Apple to come up with fixes. If that’s the case, stick with iOS 16, but be aware that Apple will only support the older software with security updates for a short while. It’s likely this time is coming to an end soon.
iOS 17.2 Vs iOS 16.7.8—The Verdict
The latest versions of the iPhone software are iOS 17.2 and iOS 16.7.3 and you must update to one of them. Which upgrade you choose comes down to preference.
While Moore accepts that he’s an “early adopter,” he concedes there are arguments that battery life is better for some users on iOS 16. “Others say iOS 17 versions are still buggy, so it is very much down to user preference.”
As any regular readers will know, I am also an early adopter of iOS software who cares about security. But I can say that a few days in, I have had no issues with the iOS 17.2 update on my iPhone 14 Pro. Now, it’s over to you.
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