Apple launched iOS 26 to the general public at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference occasion in early June, and since then, has been sharpening the software program with builders for the eventual beta launch. Now that it is lastly accessible for everybody to check, chances are you’ll be questioning if it is price diving straight into or ready for the official software program launch — possible someday in September. That is what we’re right here to reply.
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To set the stage, Apple’s iOS 26 gives a refreshing new look, extra streamlined first-party app layouts, extra functionalities throughout widespread companies, and a few smaller Easter egg options that drastically improve your iPhone’s usability. My ZDNET colleague Kerry Wan and I’ve been testing the general public beta (through Developer Beta 4) for the previous few weeks, and listed below are our largest takeaways to date.
1. Visible Intelligence is sort of prepared for primetime
After I first examined Visible Intelligence on iOS 18, I primarily used the characteristic to translate signage and menus when touring overseas. In comparison with competing multimodal instruments on other phones, the characteristic was noticeably barebones. Nevertheless, I discovered myself utilizing it extra usually on iOS 26, because of the flexibility to raised course of on-screen info and observe up with related duties.
Particularly, having the ability to add a calendar occasion from my electronic mail has been a blessing. Apple now lets you take a screenshot of an invite (whether or not from electronic mail, messages, or anything) and run Visible Intelligence on it. This implies the choices to Add to Calendar, Learn Aloud, and Summarize. Utilizing the primary possibility creates an occasion within the Calendar app with particulars reminiscent of occasion identify, time, and length.
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Whereas each Kerry and I discover Samsung’s AI Choose and Google’s Circle to Search simpler to acknowledge on-screen objects and carry out capabilities based mostly on AI strategies, some customers will desire that Apple’s AI service additionally enables you to save screenshots for future reference.
You’ll be able to, after all, delete the screenshot proper after an occasion is created, however the strategy of taking a screenshot after which ready for strategies to point out the ‘Add to Calendar’ possibility is one thing that at present requires greater than supreme time.
It would be nice if I might allow on-screen Visible Intelligence with a press (or double press) of the Digital camera Management as an alternative of taking a screenshot.
2. Apple fastened the Photographs app, fortunately
The Cupertino tech big redesigned the iPhone’s Photographs app in iOS 18 final yr and touted it as “the biggest-ever redesign.” Over the course of 2024, I, like many others, by no means obtained used to the brand new UI and nearly all the time felt pissed off when wanting via my trip photographs. Apple listened to person suggestions to provide us an up to date format, and I find it irresistible.
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The brand new Photographs app is now compartmentalized by Library and Collections, so if I scroll to the tip of my library, it would not robotically present any excellent folders. As a substitute, these have been moved to a separate Collections tab. Total, the app interface seems to be cleaner and would not frustrate me anymore. Fewer pathways are required to entry sure albums, bringing iOS 26 nearer to the burdenless software program expertise we have come to count on from Apple.
Whereas we’re on this observe, the ZDNET workforce has agreed that the flexibility to rapidly rework just about any nonetheless picture into one with spatial depth is the “gimmicky” characteristic we love essentially the most. It is enjoyable, straightforward to make use of, and works reliably effectively — now greater than ever, on the general public beta. It is the identical know-how that offers lock display wallpapers that gyroscopic portrait impact.
3. A simplified Digital camera format
The largest app redesign in iOS 26 is a simplified Digital camera app format. Apple now provides you two choices for Video and Picture on the backside, the place you may swipe as much as reveal extra settings like Flash, Dwell Picture, Timer, and extra. These can be discovered by tapping the settings button on the top-right nook.
You’ll be able to press, maintain, and drag to alter to different modes like Cinematic Video, Portrait, and so forth. At first, I discovered the brand new look too minimal for my style; even should you’re conversant in all of the instruments and settings within the digicam app, there is no clear indication — like a menu button or increase image — of the right way to entry them. I would think about that extra informal customers will battle, a minimum of to start with, to search out sure settings.
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Having a extra minimalist design does provide the advantage of a quick and responsive UI, which is a serious benefit for photographers and customers seeking to seize fast pictures.
Hiding extra of the interface additionally makes framing and capturing topics simpler. My colleague Kerry lately went on a visit to Barcelona and Lisbon, two cities stuffed with structure and tilework with Mediterranean affect. He discovered the revamped digicam app very intuitive when rapidly switching between picture and video modes and framing scenic views. When each little element on buildings, streets, and statues issues a lot, the flexibility to simply see how issues match throughout the viewfinder was appreciated.
4. Safari will get the largest Liquid Glass remedy
Safari’s new Liquid Glass-enhanced look makes a giant distinction for studying and looking internet pages. Apple’s browser on iOS 26 not solely seems to be higher however is extra usable than earlier than. For instance, the emphasis on minimizing distracting UI means what was beforehand a two-row menu on the backside (which took up portion of the net web page) is now merely a floating three-button navigation bar — which incorporates the again button, URL bar, and three-dot button.
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The nav bar minimizes once you scroll via an online web page, and switching from one tab to a different with a swipe feels quicker than ever. I additionally love that Apple bundled the extra internet web page choices in a three-dot menu, which homes shortcuts like Share, Add to favorites, Add Bookmark too, and so forth.
One in every of our favourite new Safari options is the introduction of haptic queues. For instance, you may really feel a mild buzz when a picture or file has efficiently downloaded from the net browser, whereas earlier, it will seem as a hidden notification. These delicate software program tweaks go a good distance, a lot in order that my colleague Kerry has switched again from primarily utilizing Chrome on his iPhone.
5. Our favourite lock display characteristic is…
I’ve waited for this characteristic for years, and it is lastly right here. No, it is not the expandable clock widget that adapts to the wallpaper. Neither is it the flexibility to now place ticker widgets on the underside half of the display.
As a substitute, it is the truth that once you cost your iPhone now, iOS 26 shows the estimated battery charging time. It is a small contact, however one which proves surprisingly helpful, giving me glanceable data on precisely when my iPhone will likely be totally charged once I’m brief on time. I am additionally a fan of the refreshed album paintings, which now fills the complete lock display when streaming from Apple Music, Spotify, and different companies.
Bonus: Utilizing my AirPods as a Digital camera distant
As a solo traveler, there are occasions once I miss having my Apple Watch — which I usually go away at residence to cut back charging wants — when I’ve to document or seize a picture of myself. However now, I can set off video recording wirelessly with my AirPods Professional 2.
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Apple’s iOS 26 lets you begin recording video in Digital camera by urgent and holding on AirPods or AirPods Professional with the H2 chip. It ought to come particularly helpful for content material creators and folks like me preferring carrying an analog watch to an Apple Watch.
Take into account that all of the options talked about right here might change earlier than the steady launch later this yr, together with how they’re accessed, how they appear, and the way they work. Even so, iOS 26 is shaping as much as be one of the vital updates to Apple’s working system in years, and we won’t wait to see what extra shoppers assume within the close to future.
