5 iOS 26 options that make me glad I purchased an iPhone 16 Professional

I did not purchase my iPhone 16 Pro final 12 months with future variations of iOS in thoughts — primarily I used to be involved with the growing older battery in my iPhone 13, and upgrading to higher cameras and show tech. However one of many advantages of upgrading any smartphone is sustained entry to new software program, and with iOS 26, there is a rising record of options that can solely work in case you personal an iPhone 15 Pro or later. That is the cutoff for Apple Intelligence, a set of AI instruments that is been controversial to date — largely as a result of Apple has delayed promised options, like contextual consciousness for Siri.

Within the interim, there are a number of iOS 26 options that ought to make house owners of newer iPhones comfortable. Some are comparatively area of interest, however the ones I will get into immediately may make a significant distinction to you, relying on what your day-to-day existence appears to be like like.

Associated

4 missing features I can’t believe the iPad still doesn’t have

Apple is making an actual leap ahead with iPadOS 26, however many people nonetheless have a wishlist.

1

Visible Intelligence for screenshots

Seek for something, anytime

Apple

Successfully, that is Apple’s reply to Google’s Circle to Seek for Android. When it premiered in iOS 18.2, Visible Intelligence was restricted to no matter you would level your digital camera at, which was solely sometimes helpful. With iOS 26, it turns into an possibility everytime you take a screenshot, too — you’ll be able to ask ChatGPT questions on what you are seeing, and search on supported apps corresponding to Google, Etsy, and Pinterest. If a picture comprises an apparent occasion corresponding to a live performance, the characteristic can detect it and recommend including the day, time, and/or location to a Calendar entry. Anticipate to see much more flyers in your messages as soon as iOS 26 turns into widespread.

Visible Intelligence is not fairly as handy as Circle to Search, which might be triggered by long-pressing Android’s navigation deal with at any time. However each instruments allow you to hint particular objects to look, so the comparability is fairly apt.

1:00

Associated

What is Google Circle to Search and how does it work on Android?

Google’s newest AI characteristic is coming to the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24. This is every part you might want to know.

2

Dwell Translation in first-party communications apps

Let’s hope it catches the subtleties

Apple

In one other bid to meet up with Google, iOS 26 provides automated translation to the Telephone, FaceTime, and Messages apps. It was fairly spectacular throughout Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote, although the corporate used pre-recorded (and presumably scripted) demonstrations. I am curious to see how nicely it really works in real-world situations — translation apps usually miss the nuances of context, like idioms. The outcomes could possibly be notably entertaining in Quebec, the place lots of swear phrases are primarily based on French Catholicism.

Talking of which, language assist is comparatively restricted to start out with. The Messages app helps English, Chinese language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese. The Telephone and FaceTime apps work with English, French, German, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese, however solely in one-on-one conversations. Even inside these boundaries, many dialects are being omitted — there is not any Québécois French or Mexican Spanish, as an example.

Associated

How to translate live conversations with Google Translate

With Google Translate, you could have a translator in your pocket. You possibly can translate and transcribe stay audio — together with conversations — in actual time.

3

Computerized order monitoring in Apple Pockets

No extra want for outdoor instruments?

Apple / Pocket-lint

Apple has really had an order monitoring system within the iOS Pockets app for a couple of years, however till now, it required lively participation on the a part of retailers. This wasn’t very interesting to corporations with their very own monitoring programs, or anybody preferring a platform-neutral possibility. Usually, after I’m monitoring packages, I will simply use Shopify’s Store app — I haven’t got to fret about being on an Apple machine simply to learn the way shut a bundle is.

To simplify issues, iOS 26 robotically scans for monitoring particulars in your electronic mail threads. That, after all, could also be a limitation in its personal proper, if it is restricted to the Apple Mail app and would not assist the likes of Outlook or Gmail. However who is aware of — for individuals with frequent deliveries, this could possibly be an incentive to change electronic mail shoppers.

Associated

How safe is Apple Pay really?

As a rule, any safety threats are oblique relatively than by way of Apple Pay itself.

4

Computerized Reminders strategies and sorting

Remembering the belongings you forgot to recollect

Apple / Pocket-lint

I’ve by no means had an enormous want for to-do apps, since usually, something that is really vital to me needs to be completed immediately or is inconceivable to overlook. However even I make use of the iOS Reminders app sometimes, and a few individuals appear to stay and die by it. I get it, because it offloads a few of the burden of remembering what your job, pals, and household want from you.

iOS 26 scans your electronic mail and Messages conversations for duties you would possibly need to add to Reminders, together with objects you’ll be able to add to a grocery purchasing record. To arrange issues additional, related reminders are robotically sorted into sections inside every record. I think about each of these items are going to be extraordinarily helpful for Reminders diehards, since we’re usually bombarded with a flood of communications day-after-day. It is easy to overlook that you might want to name somebody again once you’re already late selecting up your little one from faculty.

Associated

4 ways iPadOS 26 is finally making the iPad more like the Mac

The leap is not full, however iPads are so much nearer to turning into true laptop computer replacements.

5

Apple Intelligence in Shortcuts

An undiscovered nation

The Shortcuts app stands out as the most underappreciated a part of iOS. I do not use it as a lot as I used to, however in case you’re affected person, you’ll be able to construct some fairly elaborate automations to simplify duties — my “I am driving residence” routine is able to texting my spouse, getting Apple Maps instructions, and loading an Apple Music playlist all by way of a single voice command. Chances are high, if it is baked into iOS, there is a means of automating it by way of Shortcuts.

The iOS 26 model of the app allows Apple Intelligence actions, corresponding to picture technology or textual content summaries. In truth, I am on this not a lot for what’s doable now, however relatively what’s coming as soon as Apple delivers on its unique AI guarantees.

I would like to have a shortcut that robotically shuffles a selected Spotify playlist when it may inform I am headed out on a bunch trip with my electrical unicycle, as an example. The chances could also be huge, even overwhelming for the common individual — it is a good factor persons are sharing shortcut concepts on-line.

Associated

Everything you need to know about PEVs, or personal electric vehicles

You should utilize PEVs like e-bikes and scooters to discover, run errands, or pace up your commute.