iPhone 3GS is only a generation old, but looks like Apple is ready to leave it high and dry, bereft of iOS 5 loving. According to the
rumors, as and when iOS 5 comes out, Apple may decide to not to invite 3GS to the party. The phone is currently being marketed as entry level iPhone and is available for $49, with a two year contract.
Apple is planning to launch the next iteration of iPhone in September this year. But till then, iPhone 3GS is only a generation older than the latest iPhone iteration, iPhone 4. The decision is somewhat puzzling as Apple had graciously granted iOS 4 upgrade to iPhone 3G, albeit with some limitations.
The rumor has apparently been started by Eldar Murtazin, who has pretty good record of spotting the scoops. Apple believes that iPhone 3GS lacks the hardware capability to rock iOS 5 and the company seems to be walking a tight rope here. It risks buggy performance and hence dissatisfied users if it ports iOS 5 to iPhone 3GS. On the other hand, if 3GS users are not given the upgrade, then there is risk of alienating an entire class of its user base. Apple might be expecting 3GS owners to finally take the leap and upgrade to iPhone 5 or iPhone 4GS, when it is released later this year.
Seems like Apple is also going down the Android road to Fragmentation Ville. Though, the intensity is far less but still, do you think Apple's policy of leaving older handsets out in cold would put a dent in your love for Cupertino company?