Possible Devices Eligible for Exclusion from iOS 26 Update: Detailed List of iPhone, iPad, and Mac Models Potentially Left Out
Get ready for the upcoming iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26, but don't celebrate just yet if you're rocking an older device. Here's a sneak peek at the models that could be left out in the cold:
Barred iPhone Models
According to the latest buzz from the tech grapevine, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR from 2018 might find themselves on the fringes of iOS 26[5]. The reason? These devices packing an A12 Bionic chip are apparently too old to keep up with the AI-driven features of the new OS.
Users might be ticked off, as iOS 18 (launched in 2024) didn't exclude any models. If Apple speeds up the obsolescence of these popular devices, it'll set a new trend[2][4].
Abandoned iPad Models
Bid farewell to your 7th generation iPad from 2016. Equipped with the A10 Fusion chip, this aging tablet struggles with the latest innovations of iPadOS 26. Upgrading the hardware will be your only option if you desire new features[3].
Sidelined Mac Models
As the transition to Apple Silicon (M1 and later) proceeds, several Macs still powered by Intel processors might lose all software support. The 2020 Intel MacBook Air, 2018 MacBook Pro, Mac mini from the same year, and the 2017 iMac Pro could all be history[3]. This move indicates that Apple is accelerating the shift away from Intel.
The Fine Print
Be mindful that just because a device manages to dodge the blacklist, it doesn't necessarily guarantee unfettered access to all features. Apple has shown in the past that certain advanced tools, often linked to AI, may be reserved for the latest models[4].
For now, Apple hasn't officially confirmed the speculations. We'll have to wait for the WWDC and the first beta versions to truly know which devices lose out on the upcoming innovations.
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[1] https://www.9to5mac.com/2023/04/18/wwdc-2023-ipados-17-ipad-compatibility/[2] https://www.appleinsider.com/articles/23/03/31/iphone-17-pro-max-could-use-600m-lpu-field-0-75-higher-camera-resolution[3] https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macos-26-features/[4] https://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/apple/macos-26-features-3768434/[5] https://www.cellphonesignalbooster.us/blog/will-ios-26-support-your-iphone/
- The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR from 2018 could face exclusion from the new AI-driven features of iOS 26 due to their A12 Bionic chip, potentially marking a trend of speeding up obsolescence for popular smartphones.
- As the shift away from Intel processors continues, the 2020 Intel MacBook Air, 2018 MacBook Pro, Mac mini from the same year, and the 2017 iMac Pro may lose all software support, leaving users to grapple with the latest innovations using only upgraded hardware.
