iOS 19 Supported Devices Revealed: Which iPhones and iPads Will Get the Upgrade?

iOS 19 Supported Devices Revealed: Which iPhones and iPads Will Get the Upgrade?Apple is set to release iOS 19 next year, and a key question for iPhone users is whether their devices will be eligible for the upgrade. Recently, French tech website iPhoneSoft leaked a purported list of supported devices for iOS 19 and iPadOS 19

iOS 19 Supported Devices Revealed: Which iPhones and iPads Will Get the Upgrade?

Apple is set to release iOS 19 next year, and a key question for iPhone users is whether their devices will be eligible for the upgrade. Recently, French tech website iPhoneSoft leaked a purported list of supported devices for iOS 19 and iPadOS 19. While unofficial, this list, based on internal sources, offers a glimpse into potential upgrade eligibility. The leak suggests all iPhones supporting iOS 18 will also support iOS 19, continuing Apple's long-standing policy of extended system updates. However, some older iPads will reportedly be excluded from the iPadOS 19 upgrade, signaling a potential shift in Apple's iPad update strategy.

iOS 19 Supported iPhone Models

The rumored iOS 19-compatible iPhone list spans models from 2018 to 2025, highlighting Apple's continued support for older devices:

• 2025 Models: iPhone 17, 17 Air (name tentative), 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max

• 2024 Models: iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max

• 2023 Models: iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max

• 2022 Models: iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max

• 2021 Models: iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max

• 2020 Models: iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max

• 2019 Models: iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max

• 2018 Models: iPhone XS, XS Max, XR

• iPhone SE Series: iPhone SE (2nd, 3rd, 4th generation)

If accurate, the iPhone XS series and iPhone XR would receive eight major iOS updates, starting from iOS 12. However, even if these older models can upgrade, performance limitations may prevent full support for some new features, especially with the introduction of Apple Intelligence, which could widen the gap between newer and older devices.

iPadOS 19 Supported Models and Strategy Shift

In contrast to the comprehensive iPhone support, iPadOS 19 reportedly has higher hardware requirements. The leak suggests a minimum A12 chip for iPadOS 19 compatibility in 2025. The following devices are reportedly compatible:

• iPad mini: 5th generation and later

• iPad: 8th generation and later

• iPad Air: 3rd generation and later

• iPad Pro: 2018 and later

This means the 7th generation iPad (2019) and the 2017 iPad Pro will likely miss out on iPadOS 19, indicating a shift away from Apple's previous policy of providing up to seven years of system support for older iPads.

iOS 19 Development Strategy Adjustment: Resource Allocation and Phased Feature Releases

Why might Apple choose to support all iOS 18-compatible iPhones with iOS 19? iPhoneSoft suggests this could be due to a revised development strategy. Sources claim iOS 19 may have fewer new features than iOS 18, particularly outside of Apple Intelligence. The Apple team reportedly prioritizes ongoing iOS 18.x updates and visionOS development.

Many AI features in iOS 18 were rolled out in phases (e.g., iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.2), and not all promised AI features have been fully implemented. This has allegedly slowed iOS 19 development and may lead to a similar phased feature rollout. Therefore, even if older devices can upgrade, the perceived improvements may be minimal.

iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 Release Date

Following Apple's usual pattern, developer previews of iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 are expected at WWDC in June 2025, with the official releases launching in September 2025 alongside new iPhones. Interested users should stay tuned for official announcements from Apple. It is important to remember that this information is based on a third-party leak, and the final list of supported devices will be confirmed by Apple.