iOS 26 Update Available : What’s New, What’s Good / Not So Good & Device Support

Release date & general info

Apple officially released iOS 26 on September 15, 2025.
The update introduces a major UI redesign named "Liquid Glass", along with enhancements in Messages, Phone, translation/live translation, Apple Intelligence / Visual Intelligence, better customization, new design effects, etc.

Supported Devices

These are the iPhones which can update to iOS 26; older models that drop off support are also noted.

iOS 26 compatible iPhones:

Dropped Support:

iPhone XR, XS, XS Max are not eligible for iOS 26.
These devices will remain on iOS 18 or their latest supported version, getting security updates (to some extent) but not the new features.

Based on early reviews and reports, here are some strong points:

Fresh design (Liquid Glass)
The new look is more modern and fluid — translucency, spatial wallpapers, updated animations. Often praised for giving a “refresh” to the UI.
Improved features & customization
- More control over Messages — backgrounds, polls, etc.
- Better translation, live translation in more contexts.
- Visual Intelligence / screenshot tools: ability to interact with content of screenshots, search / translate / calendar create from them etc.
Performance (on newer devices)
On the latest iPhones (15, 16, 17 etc.), performance is generally good; smoother animations, responsiveness etc.
Unified look across Apple devices
The “Liquid Glass” aesthetic extends to iPadOS, macOS Tahoe, watchOS etc., giving consistency.

There are some drawbacks, particularly depending on which device you have.

Readability / usability issues
The new transparent/translucent design (Liquid Glass) is visually striking but in some cases makes UI elements harder to read or causes distraction, especially under bright light or for users who prefer higher contrast.
Hardware limitations for new features
Some of the AI / Apple Intelligence features are restricted to high-end devices. For example, only iPhone models with A17 Pro chip (or newer) will have full Apple Intelligence / Visual Intelligence feature access.
Initial bugs / battery / heat
As with many major releases, early adopter reports talk about increased battery drain, more heat especially during update and setup/powering tasks. Also minor bugs or app incompatibilities are being reported.
Change is big – learning curve & preference
Some users may dislike the design change. Those who are very used to older layouts or simpler, less “fancy” look may find it more aesthetic than practical.

Given the pros & cons:

If you have a newer iPhone (especially iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max or newer), you'll likely get a good experience and can benefit from the new features.
If your device is older (but still supported, e.g. iPhone 11-14), the update is available, but expect some trade-offs (battery, some missing features).
If you have one of the dropped models (iPhone XR, XS, XS Max), you can’t upgrade to iOS 26.
It may be wise for some users to wait a few weeks after release to let Apple fix early bugs / optimize performance. Back up before updating.