iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.7.2...end of the line?

Apple does release critical security updates for quite some time for older versions of iOS.

iOS 15 got an update to 15.8.3 in July of 2024 to fix a security flaw. That’s almost 5 years after 15.0 was originally released.

iOS 17 should continue to get critical security updates for several more years.

Other than a compatibility issue with a mission critical app, I really don’t see a good reason not to update to iOS 18.

If you’re one of the ‘I don't want anything to do with AI’ people, you need to keep in mind that Apple Intelligence is an opt-in feature. If you don’t turn it on, you don’t have AI.

You, as a user with many points on this forum knows that we don't know what Apple will or will not do. This is a user to user forum.

Suffice to say, that in the past Apple has provided security updates for critical security issues to "old" iOS versions even when that version is several years old. I would imagine they do this if they determine that there is a substantial base running that particular version.

In the end to upgrade or not is your decision. Apple is not forcing you to do anything. But as the 14 is "relatively new" you can bet it will be able to run the next couple of iOS versions, perhaps making updates of old software few (if at all).

iphone 7 got its last regular update 2 years ago with iOS 16. It received its last security update in January 2024, just 11 months ago. iPhone 7 was released in September 2016.

No one can guarantee what your device will receive, but you’ve got a ways to go. Enjoy your iPhone.

As you saw, you still got the 17.7.2 update on your phone even though it was capable of receiving iOS 18. There has not been a newer iOS version made available, even though 17.7.3 was released for the iPad. You cannot make any inference from that like was done in your first cited source that uses quite a bit of qualifiers such as "probably" or "maybe".

The second cited source is simply from other anonymous users who are free to say anything they want and have no inside information. I would not even consider that as a source of information.

It is also true that we are just users as well with no inside information and Apple has definitely not made any such statement about those claims. I would suggest instead of panicking over any such internet chatter, simply wait and see how it plays out. It requires no immediate action on your part and the best that we can do is post factual sources that only come from Apple Support articles or Press Releases. Speculating is more appropriate on a Social Media site such as Facebook or TikTok where that kind of talk is common, not on a Support Site where users are looking for factual information.

And where exactly did you read that?

As you can see here, in July Apple was still providing Security Updates to iOS 15 for devices going all the way back to the iPhone 6s. It would be curious to know where you get your information and how you determine the accuracy.

Apple security releases - Apple Support

History indicates Apple will never explicitly state anything until it happens. And it will be stated by an official press release or support article. As has been stated here already; you will get updates for old "end of life" hardware not capable of running the latest software, if Apple deems it to be a critical security update. That is what has happened in the past.

That seems like a good plan. Happy Holidays!