Whereas iOS 26 brings Apple’s largest UI design change in years, it additionally packs a bunch of latest options (as you’d count on). Nevertheless, not all iOS 26 options are coming to each iPhone, even when they help the brand new OS.
Which iPhones Assist iOS 26?
Hannah Stryker / MakeUseOf
As with each iOS launch, Apple has dropped help for a couple of iPhone fashions in iOS 26. Not all iOS 18-compatible iPhones will help iOS 26. This is the official listing of iPhones getting the iOS 26 replace this fall:
- iPhone 16 collection: iPhone 16, plus iPhone 16e/Plus/Professional/Professional Max
- iPhone 15 collection: iPhone 15, plus iPhone 15 Plus/Professional/Professional Max
- iPhone 14 collection: iPhone 14, plus iPhone 14 Plus/Professional/Professional Max
- iPhone 13 collection: iPhone 13, plus iPhone 13 mini/Professional/Professional Max
- iPhone 12 collection: iPhone 12, plus iPhone 12 mini/Professional/Professional Max
- iPhone 11 collection: iPhone 11, plus iPhone 11 Professional/Professional Max
- iPhone SE (2nd technology and later)
In the event you personal any of those iPhone fashions, you can set up iOS 26 later this yr (round September) when Apple rolls it out to the general public. Notably, the iPhone X, XS, XR, and XS Max are among the older fashions that will not obtain the replace.
Which Options Are Unique to Newer iPhones?
Simply since you get the brand new OS doesn’t suggest your cellphone can help every thing that goes with it. Whereas Apple is bringing the brand new “Liquid Glass” design language to all iPhones, some iOS 26 options (primarily Apple Intelligence-related) will stay unique to newer iPhone fashions.
These are some options that can solely be obtainable on the iPhone 16 collection, iPhone 15 Professional, and iPhone 15 Professional Max. After all, we will count on the upcoming iPhone 17 line (or no matter Apple names it) to help these too.
Visible Intelligence With Search
Sanuj Bhatia / MakeUseOf
Apple has lastly added a Circle to Search-like function in iOS 26. Now, once you take a screenshot, Visible Intelligence can analyze the display and provide recommendations. For instance, if it detects a date, it might immediate you so as to add it to your Calendar.
You can even seek for merchandise from screenshots through providers like Etsy and Google, or ask ChatGPT questions concerning the picture straight from the Visible Intelligence display. All the explanations to like Circle to Search will come into play right here, too.
Reside Translation
Just like Samsung Galaxy smartphones, your iPhone will now provide real-time textual content and voice translation throughout apps like FaceTime, Messages, and even cellphone calls. Nevertheless, it will solely be obtainable on newer iPhone fashions.
AI-Built-in Shortcuts Actions
The Shortcuts app is getting a serious AI improve in iOS 26. Now you can create shortcuts that use Apple’s AI fashions to carry out AI-related duties, like summarizing textual content, producing photographs, and extra. These options is not going to be obtainable on iPhones with out Apple Intelligence help.
Sanuj Bhatia / MakeUseOf
Superior Messages Options
The Messages app is gaining a number of updates in iOS 26, together with typing indicators in group chats and computerized filtering of texts from unknown senders. As well as, Messages is gaining help for customized chat backgrounds. You may set your individual images or select from pre-made choices, and Apple has additionally added the power to create backgrounds utilizing Picture Playground, which leverages Apple Intelligence.
Messages can also be gaining the power to create polls, making it simpler to succeed in choices in group chats. Utilizing AI, the app may even counsel when to create a ballot. Nevertheless, each ballot recommendations and AI-generated backgrounds might be restricted to newer iPhone fashions.
Enhanced Reminders
No, the Reminders app just isn’t changing into unique to newer iPhones with iOS 26. Nevertheless, Apple is including a brand new function that means reminders based mostly on the contents of your messages and emails. Since this function depends on Apple Intelligence, it should solely be obtainable on the newer iPhone fashions.
Associated
7 iOS 26 Options You’ll Truly Need to Use
The easiest of iOS 26.
Different Options
A number of different iOS 26 options would require an iPhone 15 Professional, iPhone 15 Professional Max, or newer. These embrace computerized order monitoring within the Apple Pockets app and the brand new Genmoji replace, which helps you to create customized emojis simply by typing an outline.
Why Each iOS 26 Function Is not Obtainable on All iPhone Fashions
Sanuj Bhatia / MakeUseOf
The rationale these options aren’t obtainable on older iPhones comes all the way down to {hardware} limitations. Most of the new iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence options depend on superior neural processing, massive language fashions, and machine studying capabilities which might be solely supported by the newest A-series chips (A17 Professional, A18, and A18 Professional). These chipsets embrace a robust Neural Engine able to dealing with these duties effectively, with out slowing down total efficiency.
Since older gadgets lack the computational energy and essential {hardware} to run these AI-powered options, Apple has restricted them to newer fashions. Fortunately, Apple will nonetheless deliver the brand new design language to all supported iPhones, so even older fashions can benefit from the recent UI—although their iOS 26 expertise might be extra restricted. In the event you do not care about Apple Intelligence, this may even be a plus.
