The annual iOS update is always a hot topic among iPhone users. This year is no exception. Leaks have been swirling around a significant shift in support for older iPhone models. What does that mean for you and your iPhone?
The iPhone XR, XS and XS Max are likely to be among the devices that won’t get the iOS 19 treatment. Those models have had a good run-they’ve received six years of software updates from Apple. But as they mark seven years since launch, their time is running out.
iOS 19 will support the iPhone 11 Series, 12 Series, 13 Series and 14 Series. The iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation) will also be supported. That’s a pretty standard lineup. But what’s not standard is the fact that previous reports suggested all models capable of running iOS 18 would also support iOS 19. The latest leaks contradict that.
That discrepancy has left many users puzzled-and highlights just how unpredictable tech predictions can be.
iOS 19 is expected to bring a major design overhaul-the first since iOS 7. Apple wants to bring a sense of unity across its ecosystem, according to Mark Gurman. That means uniform icons and menu behaviors across devices, consistent app designs and enhanced integration with macOS, iPadOS and watchOS.
That’s a pretty big deal. But rather than revolutionizing the way we use our iPhones, Apple may focus on refining existing features. Think more natural interactions with Siri, improved search capabilities in photos and messages, and AI-driven improvements in Apple’s native apps.
The World Conference of Developers (WWDC) in June 2025 will likely confirm or deny the current leaks. That’s when we’ll get a clearer picture of what to expect from iOS 19.
As the tech world buzzes with anticipation, iPhone users- especially those with older models-should start preparing for change. The discontinuation of support for the iPhone XR, XS and XS Max marks the end of an era. But it also paves the way for new advancements and a streamlined user experience with iOS 19.
