The anticipated period when Apple makes pre-release versions of its next operating system available to developers and public testers for evaluation is a significant event in the tech calendar. This timeframe offers an opportunity to preview upcoming features and improvements before the general public receives the official software update. For example, this period for iOS 17 began in June 2023, preceding the full release in September of the same year.
The value of this testing phase is multifold. It allows Apple to gather crucial feedback on stability, performance, and usability from a wide range of users and devices. This process helps identify and rectify bugs, optimize performance across different iPhone models, and refine the user experience prior to widespread distribution. Historically, the feedback gathered during these phases has been instrumental in shaping the final product.