[eugeniub]

It's worth noting that Apple also sometimes releases security updates for devices that no longer support the latest iOS. For example, Apple released security update iOS 12.5.4[1] on June 14, 2021 for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6.

[1]: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212548

[cogman10]

That's the sort of thing that buys a LOT of good will for me.

[hypothesis]

But does it really do anything to secure a device that’s past EOL? Or is it a marketing action?

Long official support is absolutely a benefit when looking at smartphones, however, articles keep popping up about Apple basically buying and sitting on vulnerabilities for latest and greatest iOS, because that’s what works economically.