iOS 26: The Features Your Older iPhone WON'T Get
Apple's iOS 26 introduces a host of new features and design enhancements, but not all iPhones will benefit equally. If you own an older model—particularly one released before the iPhone 12—you may find yourself missing out on some of the most advanced functionalities. The video below from Zollotech explores the key features of iOS 26, highlighting which ones are exclusive to newer devices, so you can better understand what your iPhone will and won't support.
Watch this video on YouTube. Design Updates: A Fresh Look for All
The 'Liquid Glass' design is one of the most visually striking updates in iOS 26. This sleek and fluid aesthetic is available across all supported devices, including older models like the iPhone 11. However, the more advanced animations and interactive elements are optimized for newer hardware, particularly the iPhone 15 Pro series. While all users will experience a visual refresh, the smoothness and responsiveness of these updates are significantly enhanced on the latest devices, offering a more dynamic and immersive experience. Photography Features: A New Era for Newer iPhones
For photography enthusiasts, iOS 26 introduces spatial scene creation, a feature that allows users to craft 3D-like photos and immersive lock screen wallpapers. Unfortunately, this innovative functionality is only available on the iPhone 12 and newer models. The technology relies on advanced hardware capabilities, such as LiDAR and improved image processing, which older devices lack. As a result, users of earlier models will continue to rely on standard photo features without access to these innovative tools. AI-Powered Enhancements: Limited to the Latest Devices
iOS 26 brings several AI-driven features designed to enhance user experience, but many of these are restricted to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models. Here's a closer look at some of these advancements: Messages App: The app now includes AI-powered background suggestions and interactive polls. While basic polls and standard background customization are available on older devices, the AI-driven enhancements are exclusive to the latest hardware.
The app now includes AI-powered background suggestions and interactive polls. While basic polls and standard background customization are available on older devices, the are exclusive to the latest hardware. Real-Time Translation: This feature enables seamless communication across languages during FaceTime, calls, and messages. However, it relies on advanced machine learning models that require the processing power of the iPhone 15 Pro series.
This feature enables seamless communication across languages during FaceTime, calls, and messages. However, it relies on that require the processing power of the iPhone 15 Pro series. Shortcuts App: New AI-driven tools, such as document summarization and language model integration, are introduced. These features are designed to save time and improve productivity but are unavailable on older devices, which retain only basic automation capabilities. Creative Tools: Expanding Possibilities for Newer Models
iOS 26 introduces several creative tools that use advanced hardware to push the boundaries of what's possible. However, these features are largely limited to the latest iPhones: Image Playground: This new feature allows users to create AI-generated images with customizable styles, offering endless creative possibilities. Unfortunately, it is exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer, leaving older devices without access to this functionality.
This new feature allows users to create AI-generated images with customizable styles, offering endless creative possibilities. Unfortunately, it is exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer, leaving older devices without access to this functionality. Advanced Screenshot Tools: For iPhone 15 Pro users, screenshots can now include image recognition and AI-powered queries, transforming them into actionable insights. Older devices remain limited to basic editing options. Accessibility and Productivity: Progress with Hardware Limits
Apple continues to prioritize accessibility and productivity in iOS 26, but many of these updates are tied to newer hardware. Features like eye tracking, personal voice, and music haptics are available only on the iPhone 12 and newer models. Similarly, the Reminders app now offers auto-categorization and intelligent suggestions for task management, but these AI-powered tools are restricted to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer. While older devices retain core functionality, they miss out on these advanced organizational and accessibility features. Apple Wallet and Compatibility Updates
iOS 26 enhances Apple Wallet with improved order tracking powered by Apple Intelligence. However, this feature is exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro series. On the other hand, passport integration for ID use is available across all supported devices, though its functionality remains limited to the U.S.
To summarize compatibility: Most features, including accessibility updates, are available on the iPhone 12 and newer.
AI-driven functionalities, such as real-time translation and advanced automation, require the iPhone 15 Pro or newer.
Basic updates, like the Liquid Glass design, are accessible across all supported devices. Should You Upgrade Your iPhone?
iOS 26 represents a significant step forward in both functionality and design, but its benefits are unevenly distributed across Apple's device lineup. If you're using an older iPhone, you'll still enjoy some updates, such as the Liquid Glass design, but many of the AI-powered tools and advanced features will remain out of reach. For users who want the full iOS 26 experience, upgrading to a newer model—particularly the iPhone 15 Pro—may be worth considering.
Unlock more potential in iOS 26 features by reading previous articles we have written.
Source & Image Credit: zollotech Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Top News
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KK: We are talking about a world where AI takes over the roles of doctors and other jobs. So, why will a teacher's role in a classroom still even be something that we would seek to retain in a world where AI can do almost everything better? SK: I think we're in a world where we're going to be able to raise the floor and create a much better high-scale, low-cost, automated safety net for the world. Take your doctor example. If you're in a rural village in India, you'll hopefully get an AI doctor that maybe can even help prescribe medicines and things like that. It won't be as good as the doctors you or I might be able to go to, but it'll be a lot better than what they had before. Similarly, your children might be able to get access to an AI tutor or AI assessments. 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SK: I think we'll do much, much better than we have in the past. I think the reason why most students disengage is because things are going over their head or it's not really connecting to their experiences in life. AI will get us a much better chance of personalising to those students. When you interact with content, you're much more likely to learn and remember the content. We have activities on our AI tool, Khanmigo, where you can talk to AI simulations of historical figures or literary characters. That literally brings history to life in ways that we couldn't have imagined before. To your question, about five, 10 years in the future, this sounds very Star Trek-y, but virtual-reality glasses are probably going to become mainstream in about 10 years. It literally would be like a magic school bus ride where the teacher is going to be able to take the class into the circulatory system, or we're going to be able to go to ancient Rome together. I think that will be a much, much richer way to learn. KK: So, is it that AI could actually enhance our ability not to learn for learning's sake, but that it could also make us more creative? Is that how you see this? SK: I think it will amplify whatever your intent already is. There are people who are just trying to do things as quickly as possible and cut corners. They will find ways to do that with AI. Now, those people usually aren't the highest performers and when you amplify that with AI, they still won't be the highest performers. But for those that are looking to do something novel and creative, I think it will amplify that, as well. I have a commencement address that I have to give and I am using AI – not to write the address, but I just dictated all my thoughts onto my phone and AI transcribed it. Then, I started tweaking it. I went paragraph by paragraph and was like, 'Is there another way of saying this?' I'm not using 99% of what the AI might suggest, but just having that partner there is very powerful. I'm also bouncing ideas off of my 16-year-old son and my wife. They're not always around! Imagine you're someone who gives great speeches, like Barack Obama. As president, he had an army of speechwriters. But I believe that he also came to the table with his own point of view. So, he was able to prompt those speechwriters so it would be in his voice, but also edit it himself so that it would truly be authentic to himself and his ideas. I think these technologies now give us all that power that President Obama had. But if you don't write well, if you don't communicate well, it's going to have diminishing returns. --
