Kerry Wan/ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
Earlier this year, Apple unveiled some significant updates to its operating systems at WWDC 2025, including a visual redesign for iOS 26. With the new Liquid Glass interface, Apple plans to offer users a more consistent design and experience across all its devices.
Also: Apple iPhone 17 event live blog: The biggest announcements we’re expecting on Tuesday
The iOS 26 public beta is available now, but the official version is expected to be released soon after tomorrow’s iPhone 17 Awe-Dropping event. While public betas give enthusiasts and everyday users a way to test the latest iteration of Apple’s software, most iPhone users wait for the stable release of iOS. If you’re one of them, you’re likely wondering if your iPhone will be compatible with the latest operating system. Read on to learn which models will support iOS 26 and which ones will not.
According to Apple, the following iPhone models, aside from the new iPhone 17 lineup, can upgrate to iOS 26 once it becomes widely available:
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
Also: Will your old iPhone, Mac, or iPad run Apple’s latest updates? Check this list
Notably, the once-popular iPhone X, XS, XR, and XS Max models are not on the list.
If you’re familiar with previous iOS versions, you likely noticed that Apple skipped from iOS 18 to iOS 26. After years of sequentially numbering software updates for all its devices, Apple rebranded all its operating systems with 26.
That doesn’t mean that this is the 26th generation of Apple’s yearly update cycle; Apple simply rebranded its software versions to use the upcoming calendar year, much like car models.
Also: You should update your iPhone, iPad, and Mac ASAP to fix this dangerous security flaw
Renaming the software versions to the upcoming calendar year was definitely a branding move, as Apple unified its OS versions across all its platforms. You’ll now have iPadOS 25, MacOS 26, WatchOS 26, etc. This alignment goes along with the Liquid Glass finish across all devices, which reflects the unified upgrade.
The iOS 26 beta version differs slightly from the general release. The beta phase gathers feedback, which Apple uses to repair bugs and address any user interface issues before the software is widely distributed.
Beta versions can also be incomplete and are not the final product. This means the iOS 26 developer and public betas are more prone to bugs, glitches, and instability.
Also: Buy the iPhone 16 or wait for iPhone 17? My advice after years of phone reviews
The general release will have ironed out most of these bugs and problems using the user feedback gathered during the beta phase, delivering software that isn’t as prone to issues. However, they can still happen.
For example, in the 2023 iOS 17 beta, Apple moved the in-call “End” button from its familiar center position to the right. After beta testers voiced frustration, Apple restored the button to the center before the public release.
Apple launches its new iOS versions in three phases: the developer beta, public beta, and finally, the official general release.
- Developer beta: This is the rawest software version that goes out to a large audience: developers. The first developer beta of iOS 26 was released on June 9 during WWDC 2025. Subsequent developer beta updates followed to correct bugs and improve the user experience.
- Public beta: The public beta launched in July. This program lets anyone, not just registered developers, test early software versions. It also helps Apple identify and fix bugs or performance issues before the final release.
- General release: Also called a stable or official release, the general release of an operating system is when the company behind it makes it available to all users. If years past are any indication, we expect the stable release of iOS 26 to happen within the next 10 days. Apple officially released iOS 18 out of beta on September 16, just one week after its “Glowtime” event.
Also: Apple’s iPhone 17 event is less than a week away. Here’s how to watch (and what to expect)
A software beta is an early preview of an application or operating system, released to a select group of developers or users to gather feedback and uncover bugs under real-world conditions. It follows an internal alpha phase and helps Apple address issues before an official general release.
The Apple brand is strong and holds significant resale value, so you can always sell your older iPhone and disclose that it’s no longer supported for software updates. There’s a lot of demand for older iPhones that are still functional and budget-friendly, but you can also trade them for credit toward a new device.
Apple, Best Buy, and Amazon are just some retailers that accept iPhone trade-ins. iPhones’ resale and trade-in values depend heavily on their condition and storage capacity. Features like an intact screen and a working camera greatly influence resale or trade-in values.
You can check your iPhone’s trade-in value at one of these retailers or at a telecommunications company’s authorized dealer.