The next major software update for Apple smartphones will not include four popular models that currently run the latest version of the operating system. Informações leaks from supply chain sources and technology sector experts indicate that the company has set a new hardware limit to support the innovations planned for this year. The movement ends the cycle of news for an entire generation of cell phones that still has a strong presence in the global market.
The cut directly affects devices launched from 2019 onwards, establishing a new minimum processing requirement for the brand’s users. The decision reflects the need for more robust internal components to handle advanced software tools, changing the scenario for consumers who tend to keep their devices for long periods. Official confirmation of the compatibility list will take place during the manufacturer’s annual developer conference, scheduled for the middle of the year.
Fim from the line for the A13 processor Bionic
The recent leak details that devices equipped with the A13 Bionic chip will lose access to the system’s new features. Este processor marked an important era of performance when it hit the market, but now presents structural limitations in the face of modern mobile computing demands. The component architecture is unable to deliver the necessary speed for the features that the manufacturer plans to introduce in the next interface updates.
The list of excluded devices covers versions that sold millions of units and are still actively circulating in the Brazilian used market. Users of these smartphones will need to adapt to a scenario where native applications will no longer receive profound visual and operational improvements. The focus of software engineering becomes exclusive to newer hardware.
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (second generation)
Estes four models represent the exact cutoff limit established by the development team. The exclusion of the second-generation SE model draws attention because it is a device launched a little later than the 2019 main line, but which inherited the same central processor. Essa technical choice sealed its fate with the older brothers of the smartphone family.
Aparelhos that follow the update schedule
Starting with the generation equipped with the A14 Bionic chip, support for the new operating system remains guaranteed according to current projections. Isso means that the line started by the iPhone 12 marks the new entry level for the manufacturer’s updated ecosystem. The technological leap between the A13 and A14 brought significant changes to the processor’s lithography, enabling greater energy efficiency and raw calculation capacity.
The third generation SE model is also included in the compatibility list, ensuring the survival of the most affordable option in the company’s current catalogue. Consumers who have more recent versions can wait for the update without worrying about the immediate obsolescence of their equipment. The software transition will occur naturally for this user base.
The list of supported smartphones encompasses a wide range of options launched in recent years. The list covers everything from compact variants to more robust versions of lines 13, 14, 15 and 16. The system code is also already preparing the ground for the long-awaited family of devices from 2026, which should debut on the international market with unprecedented variations in design and technical nomenclature.
Artificial Inteligência dictates the pace of innovations
The main reason for stopping support for older models lies in the implementation of tools based on generative artificial intelligence. Apple focuses its efforts on local processing to ensure the privacy of user data, which requires extremely powerful neural processing units. Chips manufactured before 2020 do not have enough dedicated cores to run these complex mathematical models without draining the battery quickly.
The improvements planned for the system’s virtual assistant exemplify this new technological reality. The expectation is that the software will be able to interpret multiple simultaneous commands, analyze the screen context in real time and generate more natural responses. Executar performs these tasks fluently and requires memory bandwidth that discontinued devices simply cannot physically offer on their logic boards.
Além of the voice assistant, the operating system must integrate automated image editing functions, intelligent organization of notifications and text generation in native applications. The manufacturer chooses to restrict access to these new features rather than delivering a stuck or unsatisfactory experience on hardware that already operates at the limit of its thermal capacity.
Mercado used and security packages
Deleting the next major update does not immediately prevent basic functionality of older devices. The company’s traditional policy provides for the continuous release of security packages for previous versions of the operating system. Isso ensures that 2019 lineup owners continue to be protected from critical vulnerabilities, intrusions, and privacy breaches for an extended period.
Aplicativos from third parties such as social networks, banks and messaging platforms also maintain compatibility with older operating systems for several years. The average user who only uses their smartphone for basic communication, internet browsing and media consumption will not feel a severe impact on their daily lives. The transition to obsolescence occurs gradually in the brand’s ecosystem.
However, the announcement directly affects the resale value of this equipment on the secondary market. Consumidores that look for used devices tend to avoid models that no longer receive the latest software, reducing liquidity and the price charged on e-commerce platforms. The iPhone 12 becomes the most viable entry-level option for those who want longevity of use.
Calendário Official Apple Releases in 2026
The new software release schedule follows a rigorous pattern established by the company over the last decade. The initial presentation of all features will take place on June 8, 2026, during the opening of the global developer conference. The event serves as a stage for the practical demonstration of innovations and for definitive confirmation of the list of compatible devices.
Logo after the opening conference, the company releases the first test version exclusively for registered programmers. Essa initial phase allows application creators to adapt their products to the new system guidelines. Algumas weeks later, the public testing program opens to ordinary users who agree to deal with possible instabilities in exchange for early access to the features under development.
The development cycle culminates in the month of September, a period traditionally reserved for the announcement of new hardware from the brand. The final and stable version of the operating system reaches global consumers free of charge, days before the arrival of the new generation of smartphones on store shelves. Até this schedule is fulfilled, the technology market continues to monitor the final adjustments in the manufacturer’s laboratories to understand the full impact of the changes.