Apple has clarified that the new Texture and Grain controls for photo editing are exclusive to the latest iPhones, meaning older models can only access these features when editing photos taken on the newer devices. This limitation was initially confusing, given that Apple’s press release suggested support on older iPhones, but it turns out the controls are only available for photos captured on iPhone 18 Pro models and the Ultra Wide, Main, and Center Stage cameras on iPhone Duo.

A Reddit user and some self-experimentation confirmed this limited compatibility, with texture and grain adjustments only working when editing photos taken on an iPhone 18 Pro, even on older iPhone models running iOS 27. The feature’s exclusivity to newer iPhones raises questions about the future of photo editing tools and whether Apple is setting a precedent for feature limitations based on device age.

The clarification comes as Apple prepares to release the iPhone 18 and 18 Pro, alongside updates to their Apple Watches, all of which are now available for preorder. While the original press release suggested broader availability, the update to recent releases makes it clear that the new features are tightly bound to their respective devices.

For now, the debate continues as The Verge reaches out to Apple for further clarification on how the feature should work on older phones, highlighting the potential for a divide in photo editing capabilities based on device generation.