CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — The wait for the latest major update from Apple is over, with iOS 26 now officially available. The new operating system introduces a “Liquid Glass” redesign and a host of other significant changes, making it arguably the most substantial iOS update in years.
The updates are accessible to a wide range of devices, with compatibility extending to models as far back as the iPhone 11.
However, despite Apple’s fanfare, the new operating system has not been met with universal praise. A number of users who have installed the update have voiced complaints about the new look and feel of their devices.
One notable concern is the impact on battery life and performance. Even Apple has acknowledged this issue, stating that it is a common and usually temporary effect of a major system update, as devices perform background tasks like indexing files and downloading assets.
The company reassures users that battery life and performance should normalize after a short period.
The size of the update itself has also been a point of contention for some, with the download requiring anywhere from 6GB to 12GB of space, depending on the device model.
This is due to a combination of new visual assets, security patches, and feature updates. A portion of this storage space is returned to the user once the installation is complete.
The new “Liquid Glass” design has also received criticism, with some users expressing displeasure over its effect on text legibility. Apple appears to be well aware of this feedback, as it made several tweaks to the design during the iOS 26 beta phase.
While not all users are satisfied with the final result, it is likely that Apple will continue to make adjustments in future updates.
For users who are still undecided about upgrading, there is no immediate pressure to do so. The iOS 18 operating system will continue to receive security updates for the time being, ensuring that devices remain protected.
The decision to update often depends on the specific device model and its current condition. User reports on platforms like Reddit offer conflicting accounts, with some iPhone 11 owners praising the performance as “smooth and fast,” while others on the same model describe it as “terrible.”
Despite these issues, iOS 26 introduces a range of useful new features. These include Call Screening to block spam calls, Live Translation for quick voice and message translations, and significant improvements to apps such as Maps, Wallet, and Music. These features are not available on older operating systems.
The new “Liquid Glass” design’s transparency effects, which have been a source of frustration for some, can be adjusted by navigating to the Settings app, then to Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Reduce Transparency.
Furthermore, any negative impacts on battery life and performance are expected to be temporary and should resolve over time.
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Ultimately, iOS 26 may not be for everyone, and users can choose to remain on iOS 18 for now.
However, it is important to note that a future update will eventually be necessary, as Apple does not provide security patches for older operating systems indefinitely.
Three iPhone models miss out on iOS 26 support
Every year when Apple releases major new software versions, there’s always a chance that older hardware models won’t be supported.
Last fall, iOS 18 was supported by all the same iPhones that could run iOS 17. But this year, there’s a change to model compatibility with iOS 26.
iOS 26 is not supported by:
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
These three models are supported by iOS 18, but Apple has dropped them this year in iOS 26.
Here’s the full list of iPhones that do support iOS 26:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone Air
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16 and 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 and 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 and 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 and 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd gen and newer)
It’s worth noting that even if a model technically can run iOS 26, it won’t necessarily get all of its features.
For example, there are 20+ new Apple Intelligence features in iOS 26 that are exclusive to newer iPhones. You’ll need at least an iPhone 15 Pro or newer for those improvements.
