iOS 19 could work with the same iPhones as iOS 18

Apple might not drop support for any of its older iPhones with iOS 19. The next big iOS update will purportedly support the same devices as iOS 18.

However, iPadOS 19 will supposedly not be compatible with 7th-gen iPad.

iOS 19 could work with iPhone XS and iPhone XR

Although iOS 18 introduced Apple Intelligence and many other major changes, the OS remained compatible with all iOS 17-supported devices.

Apple seemingly plans to follow the same strategy with next year’s iOS 19. An iPhoneSoft report claims all iPhones currently running iOS 18 will receive the update. This means Apple’s next big iOS release—due to launch in September 2025—will work with the 2018-launched iPhone XS and iPhone XR.

Do note that even if iOS 19 lands on older iPhones, they may not gain access to all the new features. Some features, especially those leveraging Apple Intelligence, might be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models.

iPadOS 19 might drop support for older iPads

With iPadOS 18, Apple stopped supporting A10(X)-powered iPad Pro and 6th-generation iPad. Surprisingly, the company retained compatibility for the 2019 7th-generation iPad despite using an A10 chip. But with 2025’s iPadOS 19 update, Apple will supposedly drop support for the model.

The change would mean that iPadOS 19 will only work with iPads using an A12 or newer chip. Again, like on iPhones, older iPads will not gain access to all the new iPadOS 19 features, especially those related to Apple Intelligence.

Based on its usual timeline, Apple should showcase all the iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 features at its annual developer conference, WWDC, in June 2025. Following a few months of beta testing, the OSes should launch for the public alongside new iPhones in September.

As of now, reports only suggest that Apple could delay some big iOS 19 features until spring 2026. Apparently, iOS 18’s delayed feature rollout is impacting iOS 19’s development.