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Apple is holding WWDC 2026 this week, and we saw some interesting upgrades coming to iOS 27 this fall. The latest software update is only available in developer beta, with a public beta set to come out in the next month or two, and the general release likely happening in September.
Also: Apple WWDC live blog 2026: Live updates on iOS 27, Siri, Tim Cook, and more
While public betas give enthusiasts and everyday users a way to test the latest iteration of Apple's software, it's almost always best for iPhone users to wait for the stable release of iOS.
If you're an iPhone user, you may be wondering if your phone will get iOS 27 when it becomes available. We've confirmed which iPhone models will be compatible with iOS 27, and which ones will not.
According to Apple, the following iPhone models can upgrade to iOS 27 developer beta starting today:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- 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 SE (3rd generation or later)
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
Notably, the iPhone X lineup and 2nd-generation SE models are not on the list.
If you're familiar with previous iOS versions, you likely noticed that Apple skipped from iOS 18 to iOS 26 last year and is now continuing with iOS 27. After years of sequentially numbering software updates across all its devices, Apple rebranded its operating systems with 26.
That doesn't mean that this was the 26th generation of Apple's yearly update cycle; Apple simply renamed its software versions to use the upcoming calendar year, much like car models.
This was done as a branding move, as Apple unified its OS versions across all its platforms.
iOS 27 will not be supported on the iPhone X, XR, XS, XS Max, 2nd-generation SE, or earlier models.
The Apple brand is strong and holds significant resale value, so you can always sell your older iPhone and disclose that it's no longer supported for software updates. There's a lot of demand for older iPhones that are still functional and budget-friendly, but you can also trade them for credit toward a new device.
Apple, Best Buy, and Amazon are just some retailers that accept iPhone trade-ins. iPhones' resale and trade-in values depend heavily on their condition and storage capacity. Features like an intact screen and a working camera also greatly influence resale or trade-in values.
You can check your iPhone's trade-in value at one of these retailers or at a telecommunications company's authorized dealer.
Apple launches its new operating systems in three phases: developer beta, public beta, and official general release.
- Developer beta: This is the rawest software version released to a large developer audience. The first developer beta of iOS 27 was released on June 8 during WWDC 2026. Subsequent developer beta updates followed to correct bugs and improve the user experience.
- Public beta: The public beta will likely launch in July. This program lets anyone with a compatible iPhone, not just registered developers, test early software versions. It also helps Apple identify and fix bugs or performance issues before the final release.
- General release: Also called a stable or official release, the general release of an operating system is when the company behind it makes it available to all users. The general release of iOS 27 will likely be in September 2026.
The iOS 27 beta version will differ slightly from the general release. The beta phase gathers feedback that Apple uses to fix bugs and address user interface issues before the software is widely distributed.
Beta versions can also be incomplete and are not the final product. This means the iOS 27 developer and public betas will be more prone to bugs, glitches, and instability.
The general release will have ironed out most of these bugs and problems, using user feedback gathered during the beta phase, delivering software that is less prone to issues. However, they can still happen.
For example, in the 2023 iOS 17 beta, Apple moved the in-call "End" button from its familiar center position to the right. After beta testers expressed frustration, Apple moved the button back to the center before the public release.
A software beta is an early preview of an application or operating system, released to a select group of developers or users to gather feedback and uncover bugs under real-world conditions. It follows an internal alpha phase and helps Apple address issues before an official general release.
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