iOS 26 release date announced: Rollout timeline, eligible iPhones, and more

Apple iOS 26's stable build will be rolled out starting September 15. Here is a list of iPhones that will be eligible for the update and the key features that it will bring

iOS 26 is set to rollout to eligible iPhone models from September 15. Announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, the platform update is in the works and has been tested in both developers and public beta releases. The newly launched iPhone 17 series will come with iOS 26, and the eligible previous-generation models will get it as a free software update. Here is all you need to know about iOS 26.

iOS 26: Rollout timeline

• Date: September 15 as a free software upgrade

iOS 26: Eligible models

• iPhone 17 series: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Air
• iPhone 16 series: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e
• iPhone 15 series: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max 
• iPhone 14 series: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 series: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 series: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11 series: iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

iOS 26: iPhone 17 series-exclusive features

• A19 chip + iOS 26 efficiency: All-day battery life with advanced power management.
• ProMotion boost: With an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, the iPhone 17 series will get more battery life than the iPhone 16 series.
• Adaptive Power Mode: Learns user habits, anticipates low battery, and conserves power intelligently.
• On-device foundation model at the core of Apple Intelligence: Powers privacy-first intelligence, usable even offline.

 

iOS 26: What’s new

User interface features

• Liquid Glass design: Translucent layers, fluid animations, updated app icons, and a dynamic lockscreen clock with “Clear” app icon option.
• Homescreen and Lockscreen: Floating dock, cleaner layouts, and expanded customisation for widgets and wallpapers.
• Safari redesign: New translucent bottom bar that auto-minimises while scrolling for distraction-free browsing.
• Camera app refresh: Streamlined slider with two primary modes (Photo/Video) and swipe gestures for extra options.
• Photos app update: Cleaner two-tab layout (Library & Collections), quick-search tools, and spatial image conversion.
• Preview app on iPhone: Edit screenshots, annotate files, and save them as PDFs, similar to macOS functionality.

Apple Intelligence features

• Live call translation: Real-time audio translation with animated overlays and live transcription.
• Visual intelligence: Take a screenshot and instantly search or act on-screen content.
• Call recording: Save audio and transcripts of phone calls directly in the Notes app.
• Hold Assist: Minimises the call screen, alerts when a call resumes, and transcribes live conversations.
• Image Playground: Generate AI visuals in styles like Oil Painting, Anime, and Vector using ChatGPT integration.
• Smarter AI tools: Content recognition, on-screen action suggestions, custom emoji creation, and order tracking in Mail.
• Developer support: Third-party apps can integrate Apple Intelligence with privacy safeguards.

App and system updates

• Phone app: Unified Recents, Favourites, and Voicemails, with Call Screening and Hold Assist built-in.
• Messages: Adds sender screening, typing indicators in group chats, polls, and Apple Cash payments.
• Apple Games app: New hub to track progress, access Apple Arcade, and browse games with friends.
• CarPlay: Compact call interface, pinned chats, widget support, and Live Activities, extended to CarPlay Ultra.
• Apple Music: Lyrics translation and AutoMix for seamless playback.
• Apple Maps: Now offers encrypted location history for privacy.
• Apple Wallet: Adds real-time travel updates for flights and public transport.
• AirPods: Gains voice isolation, studio-grade recording, and a camera remote feature.
• Accessibility: Expanded reader, Braille support, and upgrades to Live Listen and Personal Voice.