Apple has officially unveiled iOS 26, bringing a stunning redesign and powerful new features—powered by Apple Intelligence—to compatible devices.
But while iPhone 16 users celebrate, owners of iPhone X and older models are left out, as Apple confirms those devices will not receive the new update.
The latest version of iOS introduces a fluid, customizable design using a new visual material called Liquid Glass, revamped system apps, live language translation, Genmoji creation, and enhanced privacy tools. iOS 26 also integrates AI capabilities like on-screen content analysis, intelligent scheduling, and summarized notifications, made possible by the latest chips.
However, iOS 26 will only be available for iPhone 11 and later. That means the iPhone X—once a revolutionary redesign back in 2017—is now officially off Apple’s major update list.
“iOS 26 is designed to take full advantage of the A13 chip and newer,” Apple noted in its announcement. That excludes not only iPhone X but also iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and all earlier models. While these devices will still function and receive occasional security patches, they won’t get the major enhancements and AI features delivered in iOS 26.
Apple Intelligence, one of the biggest highlights of the update, requires the A17 Pro chip or M-series chips, meaning only iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 series, and newer iPads and Macs will support the full suite of AI tools.
The exclusion of iPhone X has sparked mixed reactions among users. While some acknowledge the hardware limitations of an 8-year-old phone, others express disappointment at the end of support.
Still, Apple continues its pattern of extended device longevity. The iPhone X received seven major updates—from iOS 11 through iOS 17—outlasting many competitors in terms of software support.
For users hoping to take advantage of iOS 26’s features, upgrading to a newer iPhone will be necessary. The update will roll out this fall as a free download for supported devices.