When is the last update expected for iPhone XR & XS?

If the OP is really asking if the XR and XS will get the next iOS version after iOS 18, only Apple knows, but I would be amazed if they do.

Users tend to confuse new iOS updates with security updates.

The iPhone XS and XR originally ran iOS 12 – so they have already gotten six major version updates, one more than many other iPhones got.

The iPhone XR and iPhone SE (2nd generation) have only 3 GB of RAM. That means they have less RAM than any other iPhone that can run iOS 18. All other iPhones that can run iOS 18 have at least 4 GB, and the ones which are compatible with Apple Intelligence have 8 GB.

While Apple has not told us their plans, the facts and patterns that we can observe suggest that it would not be a surprise if iOS 19 dropped support for the XS and XR – especially the XR.

We can't say as we have no insights into Apple's plans. But Apple guarantees that your iPhone will receive the latest iOS updates for a minimum of 5 years after release, but they are known to support even longer.

Keep in mind, after your iPhone is no longer supported with the latest iOS updates by Apple, it will likely still function fine for a few more years before needing an upgrade.

No one here in this user-to-user forum can answer that. It's currently the oldest model that supports iOS 18, so it may or may not get iOS 19. Even if it doesn't, iOS 18 may continue to get security updates for a while.

But Apple guarantees that your iPhone will receive the latest iOS updates for a minimum of 5 years after release

I think it is after the iPhone is discontinued. For example, the iPhone X was released Nov 2017 and discontinued Sept 2018. So, updates for the iPhone X ran out 5 years later when iOS 17 was introduced in Sept 2023.

Bob Timmons wrote:

But Apple guarantees that your iPhone will receive the latest iOS updates for a minimum of 5 years after release

I think it is after the iPhone is discontinued. For example, the iPhone X was released Nov 2017 and discontinued Sept 2018. So, updates for the iPhone X ran out 5 years later when iOS 17 was introduced in Sept 2023.

I see, makes sense now. 👍

yanderson wrote:

Thanks everyone for your responses! I bought the iPhone 16 today, so I’m good to go. 😁

Excellent! Enjoy your new iPhone.

yanderson wrote:

When is the last update expected for XR & XS?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

You'll find out with the rest of the world when Apple announces it.