A recent leak from iPhoneSoft, shared via 9to5Mac, reveals that all iPhones compatible with iOS 18 are expected to support the upcoming iOS 19 update, highlighting consistent device compatibility across versions.
The iPhones involved in this potential update include models from the iPhone 11 to the latest iPhone 16 series, all of which have maintained compatibility since the last major iOS release.
iOS 19 compatible phones at a glance:
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
New leak suggests compatibility for iOS 19
The leak reveals that devices dating back to the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR—first released in 2018—should seamlessly transition to iOS 19. These handsets were able to receive the latest iOS 18 update, which itself dropped support for older models like the iPhone X and iPhone 8. Notably, this move by Apple suggests a strategy to support older devices for an additional year, a continuation of their trend from the previous iOS release cycle, where no devices were excluded.
While iOS 19 will retain compatibility for a wide range of iPhones, the same cannot be said for iPads. Reports indicate that iPadOS 19 will drop support for the 7th-generation entry-level iPad, launched in 2019. The new minimum requirement for running iPadOS 19 will be an A12 chip, which means that all other iPads that can run iPadOS 18 should remain compatible. This change raises questions regarding Apple’s commitment to maintaining broader device support in their iPad lineup.
Expected features for both iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 have yet to be fully detailed. However, there are rumors of a significant update for Siri, potentially incorporating more conversational features akin to ChatGPT. Such developments reflect Apple’s ongoing commitment to enhancing their device capabilities and competitiveness in the market.
As we await official details, it is anticipated that Apple will introduce iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2025. Following this event, a beta testing phase typically occurs, leading up to a full public release scheduled for September 2025.
Featured image credit: sarah b/Unsplash
