The next major iPhone software update is already drawing a clear line between devices that appear to be staying in the upgrade cycle and those that may be left behind. Based on the latest leak, iPhone 12 users still have reason to feel safe, while iPhone 11 owners may be approaching the end of the road.
The report points to iOS 27 as the version that could set a new compatibility threshold. Apple is expected to introduce the update at WWDC 2026 on June 8, 2026, at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, and the rumored device list suggests that not every currently supported iPhone will continue to the next release.
A14 appears to be the new cutoff
According to the leak from Weibo source Instant Digital, Apple may keep support broad, but only for models starting with the A14 chip generation. That would mean iPhone 12 and newer devices remain eligible, while older A13-based models lose access to the next major update.
If the information is accurate, the iPhone 12 family would still be included. That covers the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max, along with the third-generation iPhone SE.
The same pattern also extends to newer lines. The iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 families are all said to remain on the supported list, from the standard versions through the Pro Max models.
Which models are expected to stay compatible
The rumored iOS 27 compatibility list is broad and includes several recent generations. It also adds the newest names currently mentioned in the leak, such as iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air.
Here is the full group of models reported to support iOS 27:
| Series | Models |
|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max |
| Other latest model | iPhone Air |
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max |
| iPhone 15 | iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max |
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max |
| iPhone 13 | iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max |
| iPhone 12 | iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max |
| iPhone SE | iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
That list suggests Apple is not planning a narrow rollout. Instead, the company appears set to keep a wide range of recent devices on the next system version, even as the baseline shifts forward.
iPhone 11 and SE 2nd Gen may stop at iOS 26
The models most at risk are the iPhone 11 series and the second-generation iPhone SE. The leak says iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone SE (2nd Gen) will not move on to iOS 27.
If that holds, those phones would remain on iOS 26 and end there. It would also mark a clear change in Apple’s support line, since iOS 26 still serves devices powered by the A13 chip generation.
That makes iOS 26 a possible final major update for those four models. For users on the affected devices, the important detail is not that support disappears immediately, but that the next big version may no longer be available.
Waiting for Apple’s official decision
The leak has sparked attention because it offers an early look at how Apple may divide support across generations. Still, the final answer will only come when Apple makes the announcement at WWDC 2026.
The event is also expected to include other major software updates, including macOS 27 and watchOS 27. For now, the clearest takeaway is simple: iPhone 12 and newer models are said to be safe, while iPhone 11 and iPhone SE (2nd Gen) are the ones most likely to be excluded from iOS 27.
Source: tech.sportskeeda.com