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

I did not purchase my iPhone 16 Pro final yr with future variations of iOS in thoughts — primarily I used to be involved with the getting old 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 listing of options that can solely work if you happen to personal an iPhone 15 Pro or later. That is the cutoff for Apple Intelligence, a collection of AI instruments that is been controversial thus far — principally 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 homeowners of newer iPhones blissful. Some are comparatively area of interest, however the ones I’ll get into in the present day might make a significant distinction to you, relying on what your day-to-day existence appears 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 digicam at, which was solely often helpful. With iOS 26, it turns into an possibility everytime you take a screenshot, too — you possibly can ask ChatGPT questions on what you are seeing, and search on supported apps akin to Google, Etsy, and Pinterest. If a picture incorporates an apparent occasion akin to a live performance, the function can detect it and counsel 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 will be triggered by long-pressing Android’s navigation deal with at any time. However each instruments allow you to hint particular objects to go looking, 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 function is coming to the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24. Here is every little thing that you must know.

2

Reside 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 Cellphone, 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 effectively it really works in real-world situations — translation apps usually miss the nuances of context, like idioms. The outcomes might be notably entertaining in Quebec, the place numerous swear phrases are based mostly on French Catholicism.

Talking of which, language help is comparatively restricted to start out with. The Messages app helps English, Chinese language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese. The Cellphone and FaceTime apps work with English, French, German, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese, however solely in one-on-one conversations. Even inside these obstacles, many dialects are being omitted — there is no Québécois French or Mexican Spanish, as an example.

Associated

How to translate live conversations with Google Translate

With Google Translate, you might have a translator in your pocket. You’ll be able to translate and transcribe reside 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 firms with their very own monitoring programs, or anybody preferring a platform-neutral possibility. Usually, after I’m monitoring packages, I am going to simply use Shopify’s Store app — I haven’t got to fret about being on an Apple gadget simply to learn how shut a bundle is.

To simplify issues, iOS 26 robotically scans for monitoring particulars in your e 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 help the likes of Outlook or Gmail. However who is aware of — for folks with frequent deliveries, this might be an incentive to modify e mail shoppers.

Associated

How safe is Apple Pay really?

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

4

Computerized Reminders solutions 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 actually necessary to me needs to be completed immediately or is not possible to overlook. However even I make use of the iOS Reminders app often, and a few folks appear to reside and die by it. I get it, because it offloads a few of the burden of remembering what your job, mates, and household want from you.

iOS 26 scans your e mail and Messages conversations for duties you would possibly wish to add to Reminders, together with gadgets you possibly can add to a grocery buying listing. To prepare issues additional, related reminders are robotically sorted into sections inside every listing. I think about each of this stuff are going to be extraordinarily helpful for Reminders diehards, since we’re usually bombarded with a flood of communications every single day. It is simple to overlook that that you must name somebody again whenever 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 loads nearer to turning into true laptop computer replacements.

5

Apple Intelligence in Shortcuts

An undiscovered nation

The Shortcuts app often is the most underappreciated a part of iOS. I do not use it as a lot as I used to, however if you happen to’re affected person, you possibly can construct some fairly elaborate automations to simplify duties — my “I am driving dwelling” 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 method of automating it by way of Shortcuts.

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

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