People who are eager for the iPhone 14, save those dates. WWDC 2025, will take place next week, is foreseen to be particularly exciting. Although there will be new information on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, AirPods, and Vision Pro, the feature most people are excited about is the announced iOS 16 update to Apple’s mobile operating system.
Apple is making a change by discontinuing the traditional system of assigning device numbers. iOS 19 was replaced by iOS 26, which was named to mark the year of its first release, 2026. This naming convention will apply to all Apple operating systems, including iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.
iOS 26 Design: Inspired by visionOS
The new UI design takes major influence from Apple’s visionOS family. By updating the interface, the iPhone will look fresher, and everything will be aligned for Avid users. Users can see renewed icons, added ease of moving from screen to screen, and enhanced in-app animations.
While Apple will reveal the complete details about the update at WWDC, here is the known information.
- Apple Intelligence (AI) – Advanced features powered by on-device AI will debut, but they will require the latest iPhone models.
- Refreshed stock apps – Apps like Messages, Photos, and Notes are expected to get smarter and more customizable.
- Improved Siri – An upgraded Siri experience may launch alongside Apple Intelligence, making it more conversational and helpful.
- Privacy enhancements – New features to further strengthen user control over data.
- VisionOS-style design – A visual overhaul inspired by spatial computing elements from Vision Pro.
Note: Initial beta will only include features that are ready for testing.
iOS 26 Beta Timeline
Let me explain how Apple usually introduces updates to iOS.
- June 10, 2025 (WWDC Keynote): First developer beta released.
- Mid-July 2025: Public beta available for all users.
- September 2025: Official public release alongside the iPhone 17 series.
If you are using iOS 18 beta, you will be automatically upgraded to the iOS 26 beta when it becomes available.
iPhones That Support iOS 26
Apple is renowned for providing long-term software support, and iOS 26 continues this tradition. iPhone models from 2018 or older may not receive new updates, whereas newer ones are reportedly covered.
According to Apple, only iOS 26 will be supported on these iPhone devices:
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e, 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
The end of support could occur for iPhones manufactured before 2018, including the iPhone XR and iPhone XS.
AI and Hardware Requirements
Several of the improvements and newest designs are coming to older iPhones, except that Apple Intelligence requires the latest processors.
