📰 What Happened
Apple says two new photo tools will not work on older iPhones after all. Texture and grain controls were announced with the iPhone 18 and 18 Pro. Apple's first press release made it sound like older phones would get them. Apple has now updated the wording. The controls only work when editing photos taken on an iPhone 18 Pro or with certain iPhone Duo cameras. Testers confirmed this on Sep 22, 2026.
🔍 The Backstory
Apple announced the iPhone 18 range in September 2026. The earlier note listed many models, from the iPhone 16 to the iPhone Duo, as supporting the new Photographic Styles. That footnote went out on September 11th. Texture smooths or sharpens skin, and grain adds a film look. Testers found they could use both on sample photos taken with an iPhone 18 Pro, but not on pictures from their own older phones.
🎯 Why It Matters
If you own an older iPhone, you now know not to expect these camera tools. It also shows how a vague press release can mislead buyers.

Apple says two new photo tools will not work on older iPhones after all. Texture and grain controls were announced with the iPhone 18 and 18 Pro. Apple's first press release made it sound like older phones would get them. Apple has now updated the wording. The controls only work when editing photos taken on an iPhone 18 Pro or with certain iPhone Duo cameras. Testers confirmed this on Sep 22, 2026.

Apple announced the iPhone 18 range in September 2026. The earlier note listed many models, from the iPhone 16 to the iPhone Duo, as supporting the new Photographic Styles. That footnote went out on September 11th. Texture smooths or sharpens skin, and grain adds a film look. Testers found they could use both on sample photos taken with an iPhone 18 Pro, but not on pictures from their own older phones.

If you own an older iPhone, you now know not to expect these camera tools. It also shows how a vague press release can mislead buyers.

📰 Source: News Source
theverge.com ↗
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