iOS 26: The nightmare of turning 75 million iPhones into technological waste

Every time Apple announces a new version of iOS, the global technology community is in an uproar. iOS is not just a software upgrade, but it is also closely linked to the user experience, application compatibility and even the lifestyle of the "Apple followers".

With iOS 26, the excitement is even higher because Apple promises to bring many “revolutionary” changes. Rumors and leaks show that the interface will be more modern, AI features will be deeply integrated, and Liquid Glass technology will make the iPhone smoother and smarter than ever. It sounds attractive, but not everyone has the opportunity to experience it.

A new study suggests that iOS 26 could make 75 million iPhones obsolete. Familiar names like the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max will no longer be supported, meaning tens of millions of users will be left out overnight.

1. Shock for old iPhone users

For many people, the iPhone XR or XS is still a device that perfectly meets daily needs: fast web browsing, beautiful camera, enough battery life, and even the design is not "outdated". But when iOS 26 is released, these devices are officially removed from the upgrade cycle.

This creates an uncomfortable feeling. Because many people are still using iPhone XR/XS as their main phone. They feel that Apple "forced" them to upgrade, even though their current phone is still running smoothly. And when a large number of devices are discarded at the same time, the inevitable result is electronic waste.

According to Business Waste, this discontinuation of support could push 75 million iPhones into obsolescence, contributing to the creation of more than 1.2 million kg of electronic waste. This number is not only huge, but also entails many unpredictable environmental consequences.

E-waste is a term used to describe electronic devices that have been discarded or are no longer usable. What makes this type of waste dangerous is its composition.

In addition to aluminum and glass, each iPhone contains many rare metals such as copper, palladium, and gold. These materials are not only of great economic value, but also difficult to mine in nature. If thrown away, they become a burden on the environment; but if recycled, they can create huge profits.

Business Waste estimates that the iPhones could yield more than 1.2 million kg of copper, 1.23 million kg of palladium and 2,569 kg of gold. The gold alone has a potential value of $268 million. The total value of materials that could be recovered from these old devices is about $363 million.

However, the reality is that most of these iPhones are not recycled properly. They often end up in drawers or worse, thrown straight into landfills. When that happens, toxic chemicals from the battery and circuit board will leak out, polluting the soil, water sources and affecting human health.

2. Why did iOS 26 "abandon" iPhone XR, XS and XS Max?

Apple is known for being the technology company that maintains the longest software support in the smartphone market. On average, an iPhone can receive iOS updates for 5 to 6 years, or even longer, and that is what makes many people feel secure in sticking with the Apple ecosystem. However, by iOS 26, the three iPhone models XR, XS and XS Max officially no longer receive updates.

The biggest reason lies in hardware limitations. iOS 26 has been integrated by Apple with a series of new AI features such as text suggestions, image optimization, or improved Siri assistant. These technologies require processing power far beyond the capabilities of the A12 Bionic chip, which was released more than 6 years ago. If forced to run on old hardware, the device can become slow, drain the battery quickly, and create a bad user experience.

Besides, Apple has always emphasized consistency in the experience. They would rather leave some devices behind than let users install a new iOS version and then complain that their iPhones run “like cheap phones”. This is also the way the company protects its reputation for smoothness.

Finally, the business side of things is hard to ignore. When the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max stop being updated, a large number of users will consider upgrading to a newer iPhone line. This will not only help Apple maintain sales but also push users to access more modern technology.

However, this decision also sparked controversy: Does Apple really care about the environment as they often advertise, or is it simply profit-oriented? Because when tens of millions of iPhones are removed from support, they are very likely to become electronic waste.

3. Electronic waste

Graham Matthews, a representative of Business Waste, once gave a remarkable warning: “E-waste is the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world, with more than 50 million tons generated each year.” This number is really scary if we imagine specifically, equivalent to millions of cars or billions of discarded phones. And what is more worrying is that this volume is still increasing steadily year by year, with no signs of slowing down.

A report from the United Nations also added a startling detail: the rate of accumulation of electronic waste is now five times faster than the rate of recycling. That means that, although many countries have implemented take-back and recycling programs for old devices, the system is not enough to "keep up" with the rate at which users upgrade their phones, computers and other electronic devices. The amount of waste is growing, while the amount of waste that is responsibly disposed of is only a small fraction.

If current consumer trends continue, with hundreds of millions of people upgrading their smartphones, tablets and laptops every year, the picture will only get worse. Each discarded device is not just a piece of technology that has lost its value, but also contains heavy metals, lithium batteries and many other toxic substances that can leak into the environment, causing long-term effects on soil, water and human health.

In the grand scheme of things, iOS 26 may be just one small example. But it underscores an important truth: every technological decision leaves an environmental footprint. Apple’s discontinuation of support for the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max means tens of millions of phones will soon be entering the “electronic graveyard.” And when you multiply that by other products, from Windows PCs and old laptops to televisions and home appliances, the scale of the problem becomes more obvious.

In other words, convenience, modernity and upgrades are never free. They always come with a price, and in this case, that price is the increasing pressure on our own living environment.

4. Users stuck between upgrading and retaining

According to research by CCS Insight, less than a third of European users sell or trade in their old phones when upgrading. Most keep their phones in drawers or use them as secondary devices, creating a huge amount of “hidden tech waste” that is not properly utilized.

With iOS 26, this scenario is likely to repeat itself. Some iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max users will continue to use their old devices, accepting the lack of new features as long as the device still serves their basic needs well. Others will quickly upgrade to avoid being “left behind”, especially those who always want to experience the latest operating systems and technology. And in between, millions of devices will be discarded, contributing to the increase in e-waste worldwide.

In Vietnam, users often have the habit of reselling old devices to “upgrade”. The used iPhone market is therefore very active, especially with the XR and XS lines which still meet popular demand at reasonable prices. This helps extend the life cycle of the device by a few years. However, after many changes of ownership, these devices will eventually lose their value. And when not recycled properly, they will become part of the already overloaded volume of electronic waste.

It can be said that users are facing a difficult situation: keeping means accepting limitations and security risks, while upgrading means contributing to worsening environmental problems. With 75 million iPhones affected, each person's personal choices will resonate with a global impact.

5. Conclusion

iOS 26 is sure to be one of Apple's most notable updates. It promises a smooth, smart experience, with many advanced AI features and a unique Liquid Glass design. But there is a downside that cannot be ignored: 75 million iPhones could become e-waste.

This is not just an Apple issue, but a challenge for the entire tech industry and consumers. Can we find a balance between innovation and sustainability? Can Apple and others find a way to maintain profits while reducing the environmental burden?

Perhaps the answer depends on all three sides: manufacturers, governments and users. If all work together, the future of technology will not be an “electronic graveyard” but a sustainable ecosystem.