Rumored list details phones getting iOS 26

One of the strengths of Apple's mobile operating system is its long support times for older iPhones. With the switch to iOS 26 this year, however, some iconic Apple handsets may be left to gather dust.

According to a list posted by a "private account on X" (per MacRumors), iOS 26 will come to iPhones as old as the iPhone 11 series (see the full list below). That means that Apple's next mobile operating system won't be coming to the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR. This is understandable, considering the phones are now approaching their 7th birthday. However, these iPhones are fully expected to continue receiving security updates, albeit on iOS 18. 

The next version of iOS, which is widely speculated to be called iOS 26 (in order to match the release year of the OS), is expected to bring a design overhaul to Apple's mobile OS as well as AI and Apple Intelligence features that were (largely) absent from iOS 18. Not all of these features will make it to supported phones though. For example, Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or newer iPhone. 

The iPhone 11 and newer iPhones (including the upcoming iPhone 17) will all receive an update to iOS 26, per this rumored list. Additionally, the iPhone SE 2 (2020) and iPhone SE 3 (2022) will also get the new OS.