Just months ahead of the iPhone 17’s highly anticipated release, Apple previewed the iOS 26 software update to the world at the WWDC 2025 event. For those living under the rock, Apple brought about a change in its iOS nomenclature to reflect the year of the release rather than the version number – hence iOS 26 for 2026.
Other than a new name, the iOS 26 update brings a handful of changes to the plate, the major one being the design ethos. In what is hailed as the biggest design change since the flat aesthetics of iOS 7, iOS 26 embraced the concept of Liquid Glass aesthetics. The controversial design adds an effect of glass on icons, menus, and overlays, which many considered as an attempt to revive the glass theme from the mid-2000s.
iOS 26 also integrates Apple Intelligence in a superior way, especially with regard to translation and visual identification. ChatGPT is now integrated with the Image Playground app for superior imaging style. The Messages app also takes several new features from popular instant messenger apps.
With all these new additions, iOS 26 ends up being a tempting choice for iPhone users, and as such, makes us wonder if it will be compatible with our iPhone. Thankfully, most modern iPhones are in line to receive the new iOS update, with only a handful of models exempted from the Liquid Glass-baked iOS 26.
Note: Only the iPhone 16 series and the iPhone 15 Pro/iPhone 15 Pro Max will get Apple Intelligence features.
iOS 26 compatibility: Which iPhones will support it
From the iPhone 16 generation with A18, A18 Pro chips:
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro Max
From the iPhone 15 generation with A16, A17 Pro chips:
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
From the iPhone 14 generation with A15, A16 chip
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max
From the iPhone 13 generation with A15 Bionic chip
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone SE 3rd Gen
From the iPhone 12 generation with A14 chip
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
From the iPhone 11 generation with A13 chip
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE 2nd Gen
List of iPhones not getting the iOS 26 update
iPhone XR
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
