Here Are All the iOS 26 Features That Require iPhone 15 Pro or Newer

[MacRumors]

With iOS 26, Apple has introduced some major changes to the iPhone experience, headlined by the new Liquid Glass redesign that's available across all compatible devices. However, several of the update's features are exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, since they rely on Apple Intelligence.

The following features are powered by on-device large language models and machine learning, which require the advanced neural processing capabilities found in Apple's latest A-series chips. Here's what iPhone 15 Pro users and newer can expect from iOS 26 that older device owners will miss out on.

• Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, Phone – Provides real-time translation across Apple's communication apps, automatically translating messages as you type, displaying live captions during FaceTime calls, and speaking translations aloud during phone conversations.
• Shortcuts Actions with AI Features – Adds new Shortcuts app actions that tap into Apple Intelligence models, enabling users to create images, summarize text, and access AI responses within their automated workflows.
• Reminders Suggestions and Organization – Uses on-device AI to suggest new tasks and grocery items based on text found in Messages and emails, while automatically categorizing task lists into organized sections.
• Messages Background Generation and Poll Suggestion – Adds AI-powered poll suggestions for easy creation and enables custom background generation through Image Playground integration, beyond the standard background options available to all users.
• Apple Wallet Order Tracking – Leverages AI to extract order tracking information directly from emails in your inbox, eliminating the need for merchant participation in Apple's tracking system.
• New Genmoji and Image Playground Features – Enhances existing Apple Intelligence image tools with the ability to mix emoji together, customize generated characters, and access ChatGPT-powered style options including anime, oil painting, and watercolor effects.
• Visual Intelligence with Screenshots – Expands the camera-based AI feature to work systemwide with screenshots, allowing users to analyze captured content for shopping, calendar events, and more information gathering.

Users with iPhone 14 Pro and earlier models can still get to experience the visual refresh and many other iOS 26 improvements, but the new AI-powered capabilities remain limited to Apple's latest iPhone models.

It's worth noting that the new Spatial Scenes effect might sound like an Apple Intelligence feature, but it actually uses the Neural Engine to create a spatially reactive version of a photo that animates as you move your device. The Spatial Scenes option is available in the Photos app and on the Lock Screen, but since it does not use Apple Intelligence, it's available on iPhone 12 and newer devices.


Article Link: Here Are All the iOS 26 Features That Require iPhone 15 Pro or Newer

 

[SkippyThorson]

The last line notes spacial scenes will be available on iPhone 12 and newer. Compatibility list is 11 and newer?

Cool on Apple for not limiting the otherwise graphical overhaul to specific devices I suppose. The 12 Pro gifts on a couple more years.

 

[sunapple]

Does it also require a 15 or newer to have a phone that feels as responsive as it did on iOS 18? I guess we'll find out after we've upgraded.

 

[mattopotamus]

• Apple Wallet Order Tracking – Leverages AI to extract order tracking information directly from emails in your inbox, eliminating the need for merchant participation in Apple's tracking system.

Hasn't that been a thing for a while, or does it currently only do it if you use your apple card and it will now do it across the board?

 

[Warped9]

I have an iPhone 14 and I won’t miss any of those features.

 

[Havalo]

Amazing. A Pro device is needed for Messages Background Creation and Poll Suggestion - well done, keep up the good work.

 

[thiscatisfat]

Now that's ridiculous. Typical Apple and their "you have the old iPhone" FOMO tactics. Okay, "Visual Intelligence" may require some power, but the rest? These are basic things an iPhone 14 Pro should definitely be capable of handling. There's always something with Apple...

 

[phuklok1]

will they finally give charge control to older phones? or is this feature still rationed? they prob won’t, though we all know all iphones had the capability in the charge controller, it’s literally apple blocking the feature in software.

 

[I7guy]

Amazing. A Pro device is needed for Messages Background Creation and Poll Suggestion - well done, keep up the good work.

Messages will stop working without a pro device?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

• Apple Wallet Order Tracking – Leverages AI to extract order tracking information directly from emails in your inbox, eliminating the need for merchant participation in Apple's tracking system.

Hasn't that been a thing for a while, or does it currently only do it if you use your apple card and it will now do it across the board?

In theory. I've never had packages show up in wallet...even when ordered directly from Apple with my Apple Card.

 

[Liquid Galaxy]

At this point, Apples boast about still supporting iPhones that are several years old with the latest OS's is a bit of a reach at best, and just inaccurate at worse. I mean, not being able to change the backgrounds in messaging? I know the majority of iPhone buyers won't care but...really?

 

[gank41]

Messages will stop working without a pro device?

No. You just don't get any of the AI features on an iPhone 14 Pro or earlier.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

At this point, Apples boast about still supporting iPhones that are several years old with the latest OS's is a bit of a reach at best, and just inaccurate at worse. I mean, not being able to change the backgrounds in messaging? I know the majority of iPhone buyers won't care but...really?

You can change the backgrounds in Messages with any of the devices with a default apple-provided background or a photo or downloaded one..you just can't generate an background.

 

[thiscatisfat]

In theory. I've never had packages show up in wallet...even when ordered directly from Apple with my Apple Card.

I think Shopify orders always appear in Wallet, but the tracking is really slow and inaccurate from my experience. Parcel app just works best.

 

[flybub]

Who is going to be that person with an iPhone 13 in a group chat of iPhone 16 users that breaks the ability to do a poll in the group? It's almost as bad as having a green bubble and you'll be left out of the group lol

 

[Tripps9000]

No. You just don't get any of the AI features on an iPhone 14 Pro or earlier.

Nope your wrong it will be the a16 iPhone 15’s and older lol 😆

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Who is going to be that person with an iPhone 13 in a group chat of iPhone 16 users that breaks the ability to do a poll in the group? It's almost as bad as having a green bubble and you'll be left out of the group lol

Sigh...

The 13 user can view and vote in said poll, but can't create it.

Edit: They can create one, but they won't have an automatically suggested poll.

 

[antiprotest]

All of these features or their equivalent have been functioning in third party apps on much older chips.

 

[Macbookey]

As if order tracking can’t be made into a share sheet “send to wallet” action. 🙄

I’m sure the underachieving and over glorified Federighi, will have a meeting with an influencer to school us all on why not. 16 series users screwed by AI failures, and 15 regular and lower screwed by Luca Maestri calling RAM sizes, and a visionless CEO with no idea what makes a product great. In short, amazing how poor a long term value the recent software updates have made the multi thousand dollar iPhone. So much for hardware and software synergy. The list of won’t work growing to be as large as the list of “it just doesn’t work.”

 

[TVreporter]

Sure love how fast support for the iPhone 15 got dumped … I just won’t be updating anytime soon Tim!

 

[mblm85]

Still not seeing any reason to upgrade from my iPhone 15.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Who is going to be that person with an iPhone 13 in a group chat of iPhone 16 users that breaks the ability to do a poll in the group? It's almost as bad as having a green bubble and you'll be left out of the group lol

IMO, there needs to be an option to prevent group chats. "Charles has group messages turned off"

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

Nasty . So many of these features were already implemented by the past, like suggestions

This doesn't need AI. It's just patterns.we had that many many years ago

 

[Donkey Man]

With iOS 26, Apple has introduced some major changes to the iPhone experience, headlined by the new Liquid Glass redesign that's available across all compatible devices. However, several of the update's features are exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, since they rely on Apple Intelligence.

The following features are powered by on-device large language models and machine learning, which require the advanced neural processing capabilities found in Apple's latest A-series chips. Here's what iPhone 15 Pro users and newer can expect from iOS 26 that older device owners will miss out on.

• Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, Phone – Provides real-time translation across Apple's communication apps, automatically translating messages as you type, displaying live captions during FaceTime calls, and speaking translations aloud during phone conversations.
  
• Shortcuts Actions with AI Features – Adds new Shortcuts app actions that tap into Apple Intelligence models, enabling users to create images, summarize text, and access AI responses within their automated workflows.
  
• Reminders Suggestions and Organization – Uses on-device AI to suggest new tasks and grocery items based on text found in Messages and emails, while automatically categorizing task lists into organized sections.
  
• Messages Background Generation and Poll Suggestion – Adds AI-powered poll suggestions for easy creation and enables custom background generation through Image Playground integration, beyond the standard background options available to all users.
  
• Apple Wallet Order Tracking – Leverages AI to extract order tracking information directly from emails in your inbox, eliminating the need for merchant participation in Apple's tracking system.
  
• New Genmoji and Image Playground Features – Enhances existing Apple Intelligence image tools with the ability to mix emoji together, customize generated characters, and access ChatGPT-powered style options including anime, oil painting, and watercolor effects.
• Visual Intelligence with Screenshots – Expands the camera-based AI feature to work systemwide with screenshots, allowing users to analyze captured content for shopping, calendar events, and more information gathering.

Users with iPhone 14 Pro and earlier models can still get to experience the visual refresh and many other iOS 26 improvements, but the new AI-powered capabilities remain limited to Apple's latest iPhone models.

It's worth noting that the new Spatial Scenes effect might sound like an Apple Intelligence feature, but it actually uses the Neural Engine to create a spatially reactive version of a photo that animates as you move your device. The Spatial Scenes option is available in the Photos app and on the Lock Screen, but since it does not use Apple Intelligence, it's available on iPhone 12 and newer devices.


Article Link: Here Are All the iOS 26 Features That Require iPhone 15 Pro or Newer

Being ready for Apple “Intelligence” is a bug, not a feature.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Being ready for Apple “Intelligence” is a bug, not a feature.

Yep. I have it totally disabled on my 16 Pro, and will keep it that way on iOS 26.