iPhone users set to get 5 upgrades with iOS 26.4 update but only certain models are eligible
Some older iPhones will be left behind
Apple's latest update, iOS 26.4, is currently in public beta as of February.
With it comes a plethora of new features to look forward to, including a new Playlist Playground feature that uses AI to create custom playlists from user prompts.
The Music app can also offer suggested prompts to help you get started.
The tech giant has also given albums and playlists a new full-screen makeover. Now, album artwork and playlist covers will extend across the entire background of your track listings and other interface elements.
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Building on Apple's recent Music updates in Control Center, the company's Ambient Music feature is now accessible through a dedicated Home Screen widget available in both small and medium sizes.
Apple has also added an improvement for playlist management. Users will be able to select multiple playlists at once when adding a song, with the option appearing in the bottom-right corner during playlist selection.
Last but not least, Apple is integrating live concert information directly into the Music app.
Artist profiles will now display 'Upcoming Concerts' sections when tour dates are available, as seen in other streaming apps like Spotify. You can scroll through all scheduled shows, and tapping a specific concert will provide ticket purchasing links, venue details, start times and more.
Outside of music, this software update will feature a fresh 'Liquid Glass' design along with some AI improvements.
iOS 26.4 is compatible with iPhone 11 and later models, including the iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 series, as well as the 2nd-generation SE and later versions. However, not every iPhone will be able to run the new update, leaving some users with older devices behind.
Here is the list of eligible devices for iOS 26.4 (and iOS 26):
- iPhone 17 Series: 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, Air
- iPhone 16 Series: 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e
- iPhone 15 Series: 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Series: 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Series: 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Series: 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Series: 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE: 2nd generation, 3rd generation
The official rollout is expected sometime in March or April, and based on these features, there's definitely plenty to look forward to.