Apple Quietly Removes This New Camera Feature From Older iPhones

Apple has quietly changed the compatibility information for one of the new camera features introduced with the iPhone 18 Pro series. The company’s new Texture and Grain controls for Photographic Styles will not be available on older iPhone models, despite Apple’s original wording suggesting that the feature would support more devices. When Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, its Newsroom press release stated that the new Texture and Grain controls would be available in iOS 27 on iPhone models supporting the latest generation of Photographic Styles.

This wording appeared to suggest that the feature could reach several older iPhone models. However, Apple has now updated the compatibility information. The company’s revised statement says that Texture and Grain controls are available only for photos captured on iPhone 18 Pro models, as well as photos captured using the Ultra Wide, Main, and Center Stage cameras on the upcoming iPhone Duo.

Apple’s iOS 27 User Guide also specifically states that users can change the texture of a photo on iPhone 18 Pro models. This means that iPhone 16, iPhone 17, and iPhone Air users should not expect the new Texture and Grain controls to become available through a future iOS 27 update. The change is notable because Apple’s original documentation listed the iPhone 16 series, iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, and iPhone 18 Pro models as devices supporting the latest generation of Photographic Styles.

Apple has not explained whether the original compatibility information was published by mistake or whether the company later changed its plans. MacRumors notes that the original wording remains visible in copies of Apple’s launch-day press release distributed through other services.

Photographic Styles are designed to change the tone, color, and warmth of photos while preserving skin tones. With the new Texture and Grain controls, iPhone 18 Pro users get additional options for customizing the appearance of their photos.

For owners of older iPhones, however, the feature will remain unavailable based on Apple’s current documentation. Apple could still change its compatibility plans in a future software update, but there is currently no confirmation that Texture and Grain controls will come to older iPhone models.