iOS 26 Public Beta Out Now: Liquid Glass Redesign Stuns iPhone Users in India Published July 25, 2025 By Michael B Norris, senior tech journalist with over a 10 yrs exp of Apple beta coverage. When I installed the iOS 26 public beta on my backup iPhone 14 Pro last week, the first thing I noticed was a ghostly glow beneath every icon. Literally, the home screen icons seemed to sit on a pane of glass that caught the light as I scrolled. I spent 10 minutes tapping around - and knew this was not a routine beta drop. That opening impression explains why I'm writing this now: to give readers a hands-on, deeply informed take on Apple’s most sweeping visual shift in over a decade. I have reviewed every major iOS beta since iOS 10. I’ve also conducted developer interviews and tested hardware side-by-side. Here’s what this update really means - for users, designers, and Apple’s broader ecosystem. What’s New – Public Beta Release Apple has now released public betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macO...
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Apple iOS 26 and iPadOS 26: Full List of Supported Devices – Is Your iPhone or iPad Included?
You might expect just another routine iOS update - but actually, iOS 26 introduces something Apple hasn't done in years: a complete visual redesign.
It's called Liquid Glass, and it might just be the biggest design shift since the introduction of iOS 7.
Unveiled at WWDC 2025, Apple’s new iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 aren’t just about polish and performance.
Unveiled at WWDC 2025, Apple’s new iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 aren’t just about polish and performance.
They redefine how your device feels to use. But here’s the question on every Apple user’s mind: Will your iPhone or iPad get it?
Let’s walk through the full list - and note where the surprises lie.
Surprisingly, some beloved older models like the iPhone XR and iPhone XS didn’t make the cut.
Let’s walk through the full list - and note where the surprises lie.
iOS 26: Which iPhones Are Compatible?
Surprisingly, some beloved older models like the iPhone XR and iPhone XS didn’t make the cut.
Despite their popularity and performance, they’ve aged out of Apple’s upgrade cycle.
The cutoff? Any iPhone running on the A13 Bionic chip or newer.
The cutoff? Any iPhone running on the A13 Bionic chip or newer.
That means if you’ve been holding on to anything older than an iPhone 11, it may be time to upgrade.
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd Gen and newer)
iPhone 12 series (including 12 mini and 12 Pro Max)
iPhone 13 series
iPhone 14 series
iPhone 15 series
iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e
Not sure which iPhone model you own? Go to Settings → General → About → Model Name to check.
Note: Not all devices in this list will get the full Apple Intelligence suite. For example, some AI-powered features remain exclusive to the latest iPhones.
When it comes to iPads, the eligibility is based on Apple’s chip series: A12 and up, including the M-series chips.
What stood out most? Even older iPads like the 8th-gen base model and the iPad mini 5th gen made the list - a surprising move in an age where tech obsolescence often comes quicker.
11th Gen
10th Gen
9th Gen
8th Gen
Air 13-inch (M3)
Air 11-inch (M3)
Air 13-inch (M2)
Air 11-inch (M2)
Air 5th Gen (M1)
Air 4th Gen (A14)
Air 3rd Gen (A12)
Mini 7th Gen (A17)
Mini 6th Gen (A15)
Mini 5th Gen (A12)
11-inch (M4), 4th Gen (M2), 3rd Gen (M1), 2nd Gen (A12Z), 1st Gen (A12X)
13-inch (M4)
12.9-inch 6th Gen (M2), 5th Gen (M1), 4th Gen (A12Z), 3rd Gen (A12X)
Apple says the new Liquid Glass UI blends motion, depth, and real-time light effects to make your screen feel more alive.
iPhones that WILL get iOS 26:
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd Gen and newer)
iPhone 12 series (including 12 mini and 12 Pro Max)
iPhone 13 series
iPhone 14 series
iPhone 15 series
iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e
Not sure which iPhone model you own? Go to Settings → General → About → Model Name to check.
Note: Not all devices in this list will get the full Apple Intelligence suite. For example, some AI-powered features remain exclusive to the latest iPhones.
iPadOS 26: Is Your iPad Eligible?
When it comes to iPads, the eligibility is based on Apple’s chip series: A12 and up, including the M-series chips.
What stood out most? Even older iPads like the 8th-gen base model and the iPad mini 5th gen made the list - a surprising move in an age where tech obsolescence often comes quicker.
iPads that WILL get iPadOS 26:
iPad (Regular)
11th Gen
10th Gen
9th Gen
8th Gen
iPad Air
Air 13-inch (M3)
Air 11-inch (M3)
Air 13-inch (M2)
Air 11-inch (M2)
Air 5th Gen (M1)
Air 4th Gen (A14)
Air 3rd Gen (A12)
iPad mini
Mini 7th Gen (A17)
Mini 6th Gen (A15)
Mini 5th Gen (A12)
iPad Pro
11-inch (M4), 4th Gen (M2), 3rd Gen (M1), 2nd Gen (A12Z), 1st Gen (A12X)
13-inch (M4)
12.9-inch 6th Gen (M2), 5th Gen (M1), 4th Gen (A12Z), 3rd Gen (A12X)
What Is “Liquid Glass” and Why Should You Care?
Apple says the new Liquid Glass UI blends motion, depth, and real-time light effects to make your screen feel more alive.
Gone are the rigid borders and static gradients - replaced with fluid animations, dynamic reflections, and a shimmer-like transparency that mimics actual glass.
It’s not just a look - it’s a feel. Swiping, tapping, even unlocking your phone feels... smoother. Some early testers described it as if the OS were “melting” into their fingertips.
But it’s not just about aesthetics. Apple claims the redesign also improves battery efficiency on supported devices thanks to optimized animations.
Most M-series iPads are future-proof - Apple is clearly betting big on the M-chip transition.
The iPhone 11 and iPad 8th Gen continue to surprise by clinging on to update eligibility in 2025.
Apple Intelligence remains selective, nudging users toward newer Pro models.
Curious twist: iPad Air 3rd Gen (2019) gets the update… but the iPhone XS (also 2018) doesn’t. Chip difference? Absolutely. But user frustration? Almost guaranteed.
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 introduce a bold new UI named “Liquid Glass”.
Only iPhones with A13 Bionic or newer chips are eligible.
iPads powered by A12, A13, A14, A15, A16, or any M-series chip get the update.
Older models like iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max are left out.
Apple Intelligence features still depend on newer devices - not all compatible iPhones will support it.
So, is your device getting iOS 26 or iPadOS 26?
Let us know in the comments - and if your device didn’t make the list, are you finally ready to upgrade, or holding on a little longer?
It’s not just a look - it’s a feel. Swiping, tapping, even unlocking your phone feels... smoother. Some early testers described it as if the OS were “melting” into their fingertips.
But it’s not just about aesthetics. Apple claims the redesign also improves battery efficiency on supported devices thanks to optimized animations.
Observations That Matter
Most M-series iPads are future-proof - Apple is clearly betting big on the M-chip transition.
The iPhone 11 and iPad 8th Gen continue to surprise by clinging on to update eligibility in 2025.
Apple Intelligence remains selective, nudging users toward newer Pro models.
Curious twist: iPad Air 3rd Gen (2019) gets the update… but the iPhone XS (also 2018) doesn’t. Chip difference? Absolutely. But user frustration? Almost guaranteed.
Key Takeaways
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 introduce a bold new UI named “Liquid Glass”.
Only iPhones with A13 Bionic or newer chips are eligible.
iPads powered by A12, A13, A14, A15, A16, or any M-series chip get the update.
Older models like iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max are left out.
Apple Intelligence features still depend on newer devices - not all compatible iPhones will support it.
So, is your device getting iOS 26 or iPadOS 26?
Let us know in the comments - and if your device didn’t make the list, are you finally ready to upgrade, or holding on a little longer?
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