Will iOS 26 Be Compatible With Your iPhone? Here's the Rumored List

[MacRumors]

iOS 26 will be compatible with the iPhone 11 and newer, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing iOS-related information.

We are unable to identify the source, but we consider them to be very reliable.

If this rumor proves to be accurate, iOS 18 will be the final version that supports the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. However, the devices will continue to receive security updates for the foreseeable future, even after iOS 26 is released.

iOS 26 would be compatible with the following iPhone models, per this rumor:

• iPhone 16e
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)

Of course, iOS 26 will also be compatible with all future iPhone 17 models.

As usual, some features will be unavailable on older iPhone models. For example, Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.

Last year, the same account accurately leaked iOS 18 compatibility details, so there is a good chance that their latest information is true.

• WWDC 2025: iOS 26 Rumored Features

The first iOS 26 beta should be released following the WWDC 2025 keynote on June 9, and the update should be released to everyone in September.

Article Link: Will iOS 26 Be Compatible With Your iPhone? Here's the Rumored List

 

[MacUserFella]

I hope it’s compatible with my grandma’s iPhone 4, she really wants to use Apple Intelligence

 

[jouster]

Welp, I guess that's it for my trusty XR. It was a good run...

 

[GUNSTAR1]

iPhone 3G shanked again!

 

[Paddle1]

Seems a bit strange to me. If they can support the iPhone 11 then the iPhone XS shouldn't be much of a problem. Perhaps they just don't want to spend time integrating 3D Touch.

 

[Reverend Benny]

Welp, I guess that's it for my trusty XR. It was a good run...

Apple has a history of delivering security updates for at least one version below the latest.
So your phone should get updates at least to fall 2026.

 

[Lioness~]

13 mini, in the ~middle - will be fine a few more years. Not too slow for me either.
See what flip's Apple will come with.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

13 mini, in the ~middle - will be fine a few more years. Not too slow for me either.
See what flip's Apple will come with.

Yeah, I'm thinking a mid-cycle battery replacement is in the stars though.

I wish they'd just make an iPhone Mini 17 though. I have no desire for a phablet in my pocket.

 

[DavidSchaub]

Why no SE 3rd gen on the list?

I'm surprised the SE 2nd gen is still there. I expect this is the last year for them.

 

[strawbale]

Why no SE 3rd gen on the list?

I'm surprised the SE 2nd gen is still there. I expect this is the last year for them.

it says "iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)"

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Why no SE 3rd gen on the list?

I'm surprised the SE 2nd gen is still there. I expect this is the last year for them.

Same processor as the iPhone 11, so it makes sense.

 

[DavidSchaub]

it says "iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)"

Good point, but one might as well just put "iPhone 11 or later" as the list then

It would be helpful to see where the SE 3rd gen sits in that list / timeline.

 

[Paddle1]

Good point, but one might as well just put "iPhone 11 or later" as the list then

It would be helpful to see where the SE 3rd gen sits in that list / timeline.

The SE 3 (2022) has similar specs to an iPhone 13, it has the A15 chip which was also used in the non-pro iPhone 14.

 

[contacos]

Sounds about right. Every time I give my mum my previous previous iPhone, the software support ends half a year later 😅 this time the XS Max

 

[BelgianChoklit]

Can’t believe the XS is so old already

 

[winxmac]

I initially believed that A14 Bionic will be the minimum but A13 Bionic will most likely be the minimum for iPhone while A12 Bionic will be the minimum for iPad.

 

[Parowdy]

can't wait to explain to my mother, who now has my old 11 Pro, why everything looks different in September...

 

[Sami13496]

Welp, I guess that's it for my trusty XR. It was a good run...

Won’t it still get security updates?

 

[tyrnnsrs]

Is this list really a surprise at all? It seems like you can just assume each year that the last one in the list from the year prior is no longer supported.

 

[Avenged110]

13 mini, in the ~middle - will be fine a few more years. Not too slow for me either.

Not slow at all if one sticks with iOS 15. For myself, it'll be fine until Apple either releases a new so-called 'mini' or the carriers shut down LTE, whichever comes first.

 

[TVreporter]

My daughter will be disappointed her 5s for playing music won’t get updated!

 

[sw1tcher]

The SE 3 (2022) has similar specs to an iPhone 13, it has the A15 chip which was also used in the non-pro iPhone 14.

The iPhone SE 2022 might have an A15 Bionic chip like the iPhone 13 and 13 mini, but they're not 100% the same as the one found in the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus.

The iPhone SE 2022, iPhone 13 and 13 mini have an A15 Bionic chip that's a 6-core CPU / 4-core GPU setup while the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus have an A15 Bionic chip that's a 6-core CPU / 5-core GPU setup which is the same one found in the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max.

RAM is also different. The iPhone SE 2022, iPhone 13 and 13 mini have 4GB while the iPhone 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 14 and 14 Plus have 6GB.

That extra memory helps a lot. My iPhone 14 is much faster and more responsive than my iPhone SE 2022

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Yeah, I'm thinking a mid-cycle battery replacement is in the stars though.

I wish they'd just make an iPhone Mini 17 though. I have no desire for a phablet in my pocket.

I have a 15 Pro with no need to buy a new phone at all, but a 17 mini with Promotion would make me buy it immediately.

 

[sdm1985]

13 mini, in the ~middle - will be fine a few more years. Not too slow for me either.
See what flip's Apple will come with.

Did you replace the battery yet?

 

[Homme]

The iPhone SE 2022 might have an A15 Bionic chip like the iPhone 13 and 13 mini, but they're not 100% the same as the one found in the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus.

The iPhone SE 2022, iPhone 13 and 13 mini have an A15 Bionic chip that's a 6-core CPU / 4-core GPU setup while the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus have an A15 Bionic chip that's a 6-core CPU / 5-core GPU setup which is the same one found in the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max.

RAM is also different. The iPhone SE 2022, iPhone 13 and 13 mini have 4GB while the iPhone 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 14 and 14 Plus have 6GB.

That extra memory helps a lot. My iPhone 14 is much faster and more responsive than my iPhone SE 2022

Don’t forget the Mini 6 which A15 is almost unique in this too.

4GB of RAM but with a 5 core GPU and a slightly downclocked A15😊