Apple ditches iPhone XR and older models in iOS 26 update! Fans of the world’s bestselling 2019 phone are in for a shock as Apple drops support for several ageing iPhones. The new iOS 26, set to launch after Apple’s September Event, demands newer hardware, leaving many older handsets stranded.
Which iPhones Miss Out on iOS 26?
Apple has made it crystal clear: if your iPhone doesn’t have an A13 chip or newer, it’s game over for iOS 26. This means some once-top-tier models are officially obsolete.
- Not compatible with iOS 26:
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS and XS Max
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- Any iPhone released before 2018
- Still supported:
- iPhone 11 series and newer
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
Massive E-Waste Problem Looms
The iPhone XR wasn’t just popular — it sold over 150 million units worldwide, with an estimated 75 million still in use today. Experts warn that if many users upgrade simultaneously, the resulting electronic waste could be colossal.
Business Waste estimates that precious metals inside discarded devices — copper, gold, silver, palladium — could be worth a staggering £271 million if properly recycled. That’s equivalent to the weight of 103 double-decker buses.
What Users Need to Know
If you’re clinging to an iPhone XR or older unsupported device, don’t panic just yet. You’ll still get security patches, but new features won’t roll out, and apps will gradually stop working as developers move on.
Apple is urging users to consider trade-ins and recycle responsibly to curb environmental harm.
