As the release of the next major iPhone software update from Apple approaches, reports are starting to solidify on which iPhone models will be able to access the latest features.
While a previous report in December suggested that all iPhones would be included, a more recent report indicates that Apple may limit the update to its 2019 iPhone models.
Currently, iOS 18 supports all iPhones released in 2018 and later, including the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, as well as the last two generations of iPhone SE and all two-digit-numbered iPhones from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 16.
Previous iOS releases have followed a similar pattern, dropping older models with each new update. A reliable source has confirmed that this year’s iOS 26 release will exclude the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, requiring an iPhone 11 or later to run the new software.
If this information holds true, the following iPhone models could be upgraded to iOS 26:
- 2019 iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max
- 2020 iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- 2020 iPhone 12 series
- 2021 iPhone 13 series
- 2022 iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- 2022 iPhone 14 series
- 2023 iPhone 15 series
- 2024 iPhone 16 series
Apple has a history of supporting older iPhone models for as long as possible, leveraging advancements in hardware performance to extend device lifespan. The company surprised many in 2015 by supporting all models with iOS 9, including the 2011 iPhone 4s.
Over the years, Apple has generally followed a five-update cycle, occasionally extending it to six updates. The iPhone 6s set a record for the longest-supported smartphone until 2021 when iOS 15 continued to support it.
If the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max are excluded from iOS 26, they will have received seven major iOS updates, signaling a potential end of support for the 2018 models. Other smartphone manufacturers like Google and Samsung are now offering seven years of updates for their Android flagships, posing a challenge for Apple to match those numbers.
Despite this competition, Apple remains ahead in providing software updates for older iPhone models compared to its Android counterparts.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Take all rumors with a grain of salt.]
