New Delhi:
Apple has officially announced iOS 26, the latest iteration of its mobile operating system, during the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2025). Packed with visual redesigns, system-wide AI enhancements, and performance boosts, iOS 26 is set to roll out publicly this September. But not every iPhone will be eligible for the upgrade.
Compatible iPhones for iOS 26:
Apple has confirmed that iPhones with the A13 Bionic chip and newer will support iOS 26. This includes devices released from 2019 onward. Here is the complete list of supported models:
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iPhone 11
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iPhone 11 Pro
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iPhone 11 Pro Max
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iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020)
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iPhone 12, 12 mini
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iPhone 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
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iPhone 13, 13 mini
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iPhone 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
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iPhone SE (3rd generation, 2022)
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iPhone 14, 14 Plus
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iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
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iPhone 15, 15 Plus
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iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
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iPhone 16 series (to be launched later this year)
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iPhone 17 series (expected at the time of iOS 26 release)
These devices will receive the full iOS 26 update, though some features may be hardware-dependent.
iOS 26 Beta 3 changed the LIquid Glass Design Style 🤯#apple #iOS26 #liquidglass pic.twitter.com/R0OIxZOljx
— adiii (@adiicodess) July 8, 2025
iPhones Dropped from Support:
With iOS 26, Apple has officially ended support for several older models powered by the A12 Bionic chip. This includes:
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iPhone XR
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iPhone XS
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iPhone XS Max
These devices had received updates up to iOS 17 and iOS 18, but are now discontinued from the iOS 26 rollout due to hardware limitations.
Key Features of iOS 26:
iOS 26 is one of the most ambitious updates Apple has ever rolled out. Key features include:
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Liquid Glass UI: A redesigned home screen and app interface with a translucent, dynamic aesthetic.
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Apple Intelligence: Advanced on-device AI tools including smart summarization, Genmoji, and intelligent call screening.
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New Siri: A more conversational Siri with better contextual understanding.
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Live Translate: Real-time voice and text translation in phone calls and messages.
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App Enhancements: Redesigned Messages, Mail, and Safari apps with AI-powered suggestions.
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Apple Intelligence: Limited to Newer Devices
While all supported iPhones will receive iOS 26, Apple Intelligence (AI) features will be limited to devices with the A17 Pro chip or newer. These include:
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iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
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All upcoming iPhone 16 models
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iPhone 17 lineup (expected this September)
Users of earlier models (such as iPhone 13 or iPhone 14) will receive the new interface and performance updates, but will miss out on deeper AI features.
Release Timeline
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Developer Beta: Already available for registered Apple developers.
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Public Beta: Expected in late July 2025.
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Stable Release: Will likely launch in September 2025, alongside the iPhone 17 series.
iOS 26 is a major step forward for Apple, especially in the AI space. While users with older iPhones like the XR or XS will miss out on this update, most devices from the iPhone 11 onward are eligible. For those seeking the full iOS 26 experience including Apple Intelligence an upgrade to a Pro model or the upcoming iPhone 17 may be the only way forward.
