The technology world is looking forward to Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9th, where the first beta of the next major iPhone operating system, now anticipated as iOS 26, is expected to be announced and released to developers. This marks a shift in Apple's naming strategy, moving away from sequential version numbers like "iOS 19" to a year-based identifier, reflecting the primary operational year of the software.
Understanding Potential Device Support for iOS 26
A key question for many iPhone users is whether their current devices will support this new iteration. Early reports from some sources initially suggested a broad compatibility, indicating that devices capable of running iOS 18 might also seamlessly transition to iOS 26. This would have been welcome news for a wide range of users.
However, more recent information, reportedly from a private account on X, presents a potentially different scenario. This newer report suggests that iPhones equipped with the A12 Bionic chip – specifically the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max – may not receive the iOS 26 update.
Expert Predictions on Compatibility
Analyzing these reports and device capabilities, some predictions can be made regarding which iPhones will likely make the cut:
- Highly Probable Support: Devices from the iPhone 12 series and newer models are virtually guaranteed to be compatible with iOS 26. These more recent iPhones possess the processing power and hardware features to handle the demands of the upcoming operating system.
- Strong Chance of Support: The iPhone 11 series is considered to have a strong likelihood, estimated around 70-80%, of supporting iOS 26. These devices are still regarded as highly capable and may well receive the next major software update.
- Lower Chance of Support: Unfortunately for users of the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max, the outlook is less certain. Current estimates place their chance of compatibility at a lower 25-30%. It is increasingly predicted that iOS 26 might mark the end of major software update support for these A12 Bionic-equipped devices.
As WWDC approaches, users are understandably eager to learn the official details about iOS 26, its features, and, crucially, the definitive list of supported devices. The tech community remains excited about the potential advancements the new operating system will bring to the iPhone experience.