Apple’s “Awe-Dropping” 2025 event is here! Get ready for iPhone 17 reveals, iOS 26 launch date, and a compatibility list to find out if your device is eligible.
Apple’s highly anticipated “Awe-Dropping” event occurs tonight, September 9 2025, during which the company will reportedly release the iPhone 17 series and the release schedule of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. If past precedent is any indication, the latest operating systems ought to ship next week, ahead of the new iPhones’ appearance in stores.
Which iPhones are no longer supported this year?
For 2025, Apple is dropping support for three models launched in 2018. The below devices won’t receive iOS 26:
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
Older iPhones like the iPhone 8 and iPhone X were previously dropped in previous years. If you have any of these devices, you won’t be receiving the update or subsequent security patches.
iPhones that will support iOS 26
Good news for the majority of iPhone users! All of the models released from 2019 onwards are still compatible. These include the:
- iPhone SE (second generation and later)
- iPhone 11 series
- iPhone 12 series
- iPhone 13 series
- iPhone 14 series
- iPhone 15 series
- iPhone 16 series, including the 16e
iPads receiving iPadOS 26
Apple also made the list of tablets receiving iPadOS 26 official. They include:
- iPad Pro (M4 and newer models)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen and newer)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
- iPad Air (3rd generation and later, including M2 and M3)
- iPad (8th generation and later, including A16)
- iPad mini (5th generation and later, including A17 Pro)
When will iOS 26 come out?
Apple traditionally rolls out its major software updates about a week after the September event. Last year’s iOS arrived on September 16, and a similar timeline is expected this year. A confirmed release date should be announced during tonight’s keynote.
Key features of iOS 26
The update brings a revamped look and smarter tools to iPhones.
- Liquid Glass design: Fresh app icons, floating buttons, and new lock screen with 3D effects and additional widget choices.
- Phone app redo: Merges contacts, recent calls, and voicemail onto one screen with a new Hold Assist feature.
- Live Translate: Instant translation of calls and text messages between languages.
- Polls in Messages: Allows group chat voting on decisions without unnecessary back-and-forth texts.
- Smarter alarms: Alter snooze time between one and 15 minutes.
- Camera upgrade: Tidier interface along with an alert when your lens is dirty.
- New screenshot features: Search on Google instantly or ask ChatGPT about what is in the image.
