iOS 26 is Coming: Which iPhones Get Left Behind and What "Liquid Glass" Really Means

Apple's September 9th "awe dropping" iPhone 17 event is just around the corner, and with it comes the inevitable question that haunts iPhone users everywhere: Will my device survive another iOS update? This year brings both good and bad news—while iOS 26 packs some genuinely exciting features, it's also saying goodbye to several iPhone models that have faithfully served users for years.

The Compatibility Casualties: 2018 iPhones Get the Boot

After giving everyone a reprieve last year by not dropping any iPhone models, Apple is back to its regular elimination routine. This time, it's the 2018 lineup getting the axe. If you're still rocking one of these devices, iOS 26 won't be coming to your party:

• iPhone XR - The colorful budget flagship that defined affordable premium
• iPhone XS - The refined successor to the iPhone X
• iPhone XS Max - Apple's first foray into truly large-screen territory

This marks the end of an era for these devices, which first brought features like Face ID to the masses and established design languages that influenced years of subsequent iPhones. The iPhone XR, in particular, was a massive hit for Apple, offering flagship features at a more accessible price point.

For context, this follows Apple's typical pattern of supporting devices for about 6-7 years after their initial release. The iPhone 8 and iPhone X got their final bow with iOS 17 in 2023, and now it's time for the 2018 class to graduate into obsolescence.

The Survivors: Every iPhone Since 2019 Makes the Cut

If your iPhone was announced in 2019 or later, you're in the clear for iOS 26. The compatibility list is refreshingly comprehensive, spanning from the budget-friendly iPhone SE to the latest iPhone 16 Pro Max:

The Complete iOS 26 Compatibility List:

• iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
• iPhone 11 series (standard, Pro, Pro Max)
• iPhone 12 series (mini, standard, Pro, Pro Max)
• iPhone 13 series (mini, standard, Pro, Pro Max)
• iPhone 14 series (standard, Plus, Pro, Pro Max)
• iPhone 15 series (standard, Plus, Pro, Pro Max)
• iPhone 16 series (standard, Plus, Pro, Pro Max, and the rumored 16e)

This broad compatibility ensures that even users with relatively older devices can enjoy the latest iOS features, maintaining Apple's reputation for long-term software support that far exceeds most Android manufacturers.

iPad Users: Almost Everyone's Invited

iPadOS 26 is similarly inclusive, supporting a wide range of iPad models. The compatibility extends back further than iPhones, reflecting the different usage patterns and longer replacement cycles typical of tablet users:

iPadOS 26 Compatible Devices:

• iPad Pro with M4 chip
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later, including M2 and M3 models)
• iPad standard (8th generation and later, including A16 variants)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later, including A17 Pro models)

This extensive support means that unless you're using a truly ancient iPad, you'll be able to experience the new iPadOS features alongside iPhone users.

Release Timeline: Mark Your Calendars

Following Apple's established pattern, iOS 26 should arrive about a week after the iPhone 17 event. If history repeats itself, expect the official release on Tuesday, September 16—exactly one week post-announcement and just days before new iPhones hit store shelves.

This timing allows early adopters to update their existing devices while they wait for new hardware deliveries, and gives Apple a final testing period to iron out any last-minute bugs discovered during the event coverage frenzy.

"Liquid Glass": Apple's Design Revolution

The marquee feature of iOS 26 is undoubtedly "Liquid Glass"—Apple's ambitious design overhaul that some are comparing to Microsoft's Windows Vista aesthetic (whether that's intentional remains Apple's secret). This isn't just a minor visual refresh; it's a comprehensive reimagining of iOS's visual language.

What Liquid Glass Brings:

• Redesigned app icons with dark mode and transparent "all-clear" options
• Floating button designs that appear to hover above the interface
• Visual cohesion across all Apple operating systems
• Enhanced depth perception through subtle shadows and lighting effects

The name "Liquid Glass" suggests a fluid, translucent aesthetic that could make iOS interfaces feel more dynamic and less static than previous versions. Early beta testers report that the effect is subtle but noticeable, creating interfaces that feel more alive and responsive to touch.

Phone App Gets a Long-Overdue Makeover

One of the most practical improvements in iOS 26 addresses a fundamental frustration with the Phone app. Finally, you'll be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls, and voicemail messages all on one unified screen—no more awkward tab switching when you're trying to quickly find someone to call.

Even better is the introduction of "Hold Assist," a feature that monitors hold music and notifications to alert you when a human agent comes on the line. This could save countless hours of elevator music endurance for anyone who regularly deals with customer service calls.

Live Translate: Breaking Down Language Barriers

iOS 26's Live Translate feature represents a significant step toward universal communication. The system can translate phone calls and text conversations in real-time, potentially eliminating language barriers that have historically limited cross-cultural communication.

This feature builds on Apple's existing translation capabilities but extends them into live conversation scenarios. While the accuracy and naturalness of real-time translation will ultimately determine its usefulness, the concept addresses a genuine need for global iPhone users.

Messages App Gets Social: Polls Arrive

Group message chaos gets a organizational boost with the introduction of polls in the Messages app. Instead of generating 30+ messages trying to decide on restaurant choices or meeting times, group members can create polls for quick, organized decision-making.

This feature brings iOS messaging closer to dedicated group chat platforms like Discord or Slack, acknowledging that iMessage serves as many people's primary group coordination tool.

Lock Screen Liberation

iOS 26 expands lock screen customization options significantly, offering:

• Enhanced clock designs with more visual flair
• 3D wallpaper effects that add depth and movement
• Expanded widget selection for quick information access
• Improved Focus mode integration for context-aware customization

These improvements build on iOS 16's lock screen overhaul, giving users even more control over their device's most frequently seen interface.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Several seemingly minor updates could have outsized effects on daily iPhone use:

Flexible Snooze Times: The rigid 9-minute snooze standard finally becomes customizable, with options ranging from 1 to 15 minutes. Sleep patterns and morning routines are highly personal, so this flexibility addresses a longstanding user request.

Camera App Simplification: A redesigned interface puts controls in more intuitive locations, reducing the swiping required to access different modes. A new lens cleanliness detector can alert you when your photos might be suffering from a dirty camera—a surprisingly common issue that many users don't notice.

Screenshot Intelligence: Screenshots gain reverse image search capabilities through Google integration, plus the ability to ask ChatGPT questions about captured images directly from the edit screen. This transforms screenshots from static captures into interactive research tools.

The Beta Experience: Proceed with Caution

For adventurous users, iOS 26 public beta offers a preview of these features before the official release. The public beta represents a more stable version than the developer beta (currently at beta 9), but installing any pre-release software carries inherent risks.

Beta software can drain battery faster, cause app crashes, and occasionally corrupt data. However, for users eager to experience new features early, the public beta provides a relatively safe way to preview iOS 26's capabilities.

What Happens to Unsupported Devices?

iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max users aren't completely out of luck, but their path forward becomes more complicated. These devices will continue functioning with iOS 18, but they'll miss out on:

• Security updates that protect against new threats
• App compatibility as developers adopt iOS 26 features
• New functionality that could enhance daily use

For many users, this compatibility cliff represents the natural upgrade trigger, particularly as cellular carriers offer trade-in incentives for newer devices.

The Broader Strategy: Ecosystem Cohesion

iOS 26's emphasis on visual cohesion across Apple's operating systems reflects the company's broader strategy of creating seamless experiences across devices. As users increasingly own multiple Apple products—iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods—consistent design languages become more valuable.

The Liquid Glass aesthetic likely extends beyond iOS into macOS, watchOS, and other Apple platforms, creating a unified visual identity that reinforces the ecosystem's integration advantages.

Performance Expectations

While Apple hasn't detailed specific performance improvements, iOS updates typically bring optimization benefits even to older supported devices. The A12 Bionic chip powering the oldest supported devices (iPhone XS series) was revolutionary when it launched and should handle iOS 26's requirements comfortably.

Users with newer devices can expect additional performance headroom for AI features, camera processing, and multitasking scenarios that push hardware capabilities.

Looking Forward: The iPhone 17 Connection

iOS 26's features hint at iPhone 17 capabilities we'll see announced on September 9. Live Translate suggests improved AI processing, while camera improvements point to hardware advances in the upcoming models.

The software-hardware synergy that defines Apple's approach means iOS 26 likely showcases capabilities that reach their full potential on new hardware, creating natural upgrade incentives for users ready to replace aging devices.

Final Thoughts: Evolution and Exclusion

iOS 26 represents Apple's continued evolution of mobile computing, balancing innovation with compatibility across a wide range of devices. While losing support for the 2018 iPhone lineup feels significant—these were genuinely excellent devices—Apple's 6-7 year support window remains industry-leading.

The Liquid Glass design philosophy could define Apple's aesthetic direction for years to come, while practical improvements like flexible snooze times and unified phone app navigation address long-standing user frustrations.

For users with supported devices, iOS 26 promises meaningful improvements to daily iPhone use without requiring hardware upgrades. For those with incompatible devices, it provides a compelling reason to consider joining the iPhone 17 generation.

As we approach September 9, iOS 26 represents both an ending and a beginning—the conclusion of the 2018 iPhone era and the start of Apple's next chapter in mobile software design. Whether you're upgrading hardware or just software, change is coming to your pocket this fall.