iOS 26: which iPhones will get it and what's new

iOS 26 is the current generation of the iPhone's operating system. You can install it on iPhone 11 and newer, on the iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), and on all models in the 12 through 17 range, including the iPhone 16e. iPhone XS, XR and older models won't get the new version, but continue receiving security patches for iOS 18. You update via Settings → General → Software Update; you need roughly 8–10 GB of free space and a fully charged battery. If you're buying a phone with an eye on several years of updates, start at minimum with the iPhone 12, ideally with the 13 series and above.

What iOS 26 is and why the system version matters

iOS is the iPhone's operating system, and Apple upgrades it by a whole generation once a year. The version number determines what features the phone can do, how long it will receive security patches, and whether the latest versions of apps will run on it.

For buying a phone, this is a crucial factor for three reasons:

Security. Banking apps, Bank Identity and payment gateways are gradually dropping support for old system versions. A phone without updates will sooner or later become unusable for payments.
App compatibility. Developers usually maintain support for the last two or three iOS versions. A model stuck on an older generation starts running into apps that are no longer updated after a few years.
Resale value. A model that will still receive new system versions for several more years holds its value significantly better than a model at the end of its support life.

Apple typically supports an iPhone for five to seven years from launch, which is several times longer than most competitors. That's exactly why it makes sense to buy an iPhone that's even several years old — it still has years of updates ahead of it.

Which iPhones will get iOS 26

Support overview by model. For models without iOS 26 support, they continue to receive security updates for the previous system generation.

iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 17 Air	Yes — iOS 26 ships from the factory, with full support for all features.
iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e	Yes — full support, including features demanding on the chip's performance.
iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max	Yes — full support. The Pro models handle even the most demanding features.
iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max	Yes — unrestricted support for standard features.
iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max	Yes — supported, though some of the newest performance-demanding features may be missing.
iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max	Yes — supported, with limitations on the most demanding features.
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max	Yes — the oldest supported range. Expect slower app launches.
iPhone SE (2020) and SE (2022)	Yes — both generations are supported.
iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, X, 8 and older	No — they won't get iOS 26. Security patches for the previous system generation still apply.

Main new features in iOS 26

The most noticeable changes you'll spot right after updating.

Redesigned system look: More translucent layers, a new Control Centre, and a more unified design across apps. You'll get used to it within a few days, but the first impression is striking.
Smarter suggestions and search: System-wide search better understands natural queries and offers actions across apps instead of just a list of results.
Improved Messages: Filtering unknown senders, better handling of groups, and the ability to schedule when a message is sent.
Photos and Camera: A clearer library organisation, faster content-based search, and a more straightforward camera interface.
Battery and charging: A more detailed breakdown of usage by app and smarter adaptive charging that helps preserve battery health.
Privacy: Stricter control over which apps see your location and contacts, plus a clearer tracking report.

How to safely update to iOS 26

This process applies to all supported models. The whole update takes 20–45 minutes depending on your connection speed.

1. Back up your phone
Settings → your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. Alternatively, back up via a computer. Always do a backup, even though the update goes smoothly without issues in the vast majority of cases.
2. Free up space
You'll need roughly 8–10 GB of free storage. In Settings → General → iPhone Storage you'll see what's taking up the most space — usually videos and caches from streaming apps.
3. Connect to Wi-Fi and a charger
The update downloads several gigabytes of data. Keep the phone on charge until installation finishes.
4. Start the update
Settings → General → Software Update → Download and Install. The phone will restart once or twice during installation.
5. Finish setup
After restarting, go through the initial screens and check that Face ID, mobile data and banking apps work. The battery may be slightly weaker on the first day after the update — the system is finishing background indexing.

Will an update slow down an older iPhone?

This is the most common concern, and the answer is more nuanced than often written. Apple tests new system versions on older models and simply doesn't enable performance-demanding features on them — that's why you'll see some new features only on newer chips.

What you can genuinely observe: for the first 24 to 48 hours after an update, the phone indexes photos, rebuilds search, and downloads app updates. During this window it runs a bit warmer and the battery drains faster. Things settle down afterwards.

If the phone still feels slow after several days, something else is usually to blame rather than the system version:

Full storage. Above roughly 90% full, iOS visibly slows down. Free up at least 10% of the capacity.
A worn-out battery. With low battery health, the system limits peak performance to prevent the phone from shutting down. The solution is a battery replacement, not reverting to an older system.
Background apps. Turn off background refresh for apps that don't need it.

Reverting to a previous system version after an update is practically impossible — Apple stops signing older versions after a few days. So for a phone you depend on, it's better to update about a week after release rather than on release day.

Which iPhone to buy if you want the longest possible support

Recommendations by budget — all the models listed have iOS 26 and years of updates ahead of them.

Longest outlook: iPhone 16 or 17: The newest chips mean support with a large margin and full availability of all system features going forward.
Best value for money: iPhone 14 and 15: The sweet spot. A modern chip, a long update outlook, and a price noticeably lower than the newest generation.
A sensible minimum: iPhone 13: Still capable, with an OLED display and decent battery life. A good choice if you want to keep to a budget without buying a model near the end of its life.
The cheapest entry point with support: iPhone 12 or SE (2022): Work well for everyday use, but have a shorter update outlook. Plan on replacing it in two to three years.
What to avoid if you want updates: The iPhone XS, XR and older won't get the new system generation. Fine as a second phone or for undemanding use, but not as a main phone for years to come.

How we handle this

Every phone that leaves us goes through a hundred-point inspection and ships with the current system version that model supports. Battery health is always 86–100% — we won't sell a phone with a lower reading, because a weak battery is precisely the most common reason a phone feels slow after an update.

We give a 2-year warranty on every iPhone, and all units are unlocked for all carriers. You can choose from six conditions — Sealed, Like New, A, A-, B and C — and for every unit you can see the specific measured battery health before buying. Delivery takes 2 business days, or you can pick up the phone at selected iLoveServis stores.

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