Apple introduced iOS 26 to the public at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference event in early June, and since then, began to brighten the software with developers for the final beta release. Now that it is eventually available to all to test, you must be wondering if it is directly worth diving or is waiting for the official software launch – some time likely in September. This is what we are here to answer.
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To set the platform, Apple’s iOS 26 provides a refreshing new look, more streamlined first-party app layout, more functionality in popular services and some small Easter egg features that greatly increase the purpose of your iPhone. My ZDNET colleagues Kerry Wan and I have been testing public beta (through developer beta 4) for the past few weeks, and are our biggest takes ever here.
1. Visual Intelligence is almost ready for primetime
When I first tested Visual Intelligence on iOS18, I mainly used the facility to translate the signage and menu while traveling abroad. Compared to multimodal tools on other phones, this feature was quite nakebone. However, I found myself using it more often on iOS 26, thanks to the ability to do better on-screen information and follow with relevant tasks.
In particular, being able to add a calendar event to my email has been a blessing. Apple now allows you to take a screenshot of an invitation (whether email, message, or something) and run visual intelligence on it. It suggests adding to the calendar, reading loudly and briefly adding options. The event creates an event in the calendar app with details such as the event name, time and duration using the first option.
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While both Kerry and I get Samsung’s AI select and Google’s circle to identify the on-screen items and find it easy to find a function based on AI tips, some users will prefer that Apple’s AI service also lets you save screenshots for future references.
You can definitely remove the screenshot after the construction of an event, but is waiting for the process of taking a screenshot and then the suggestions to show the ‘Ad to Calendar’ option, something that currently requires more than the ideal time.
It would be great if I can enable on-screen visual intelligence with a camera control press (or double press) instead of taking a screenshot.
2. Apple decides the photo app, thankfully
The Cupertino Tech Giant re -designed the iPhone’s photo app in iOS18 last year and postponed it as a “biggest redesign”. During 2024, I, like many others, never used to get used to new UI and felt disappointed almost always looking at her holiday photos. Apple heard us the user’s response to give us an updated layout, and I like it.
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The new photo app is now compartmental by library and collections, so if I scroll at the end of my library, it automatically shows no outstanding folders. Instead, those people have been taken to a separate collection tab. Overall, the app interface looks cleaner and no longer disappoints me. A low route is required to reach some albums, bringing iOS 26 closer to Burdenless software experience that we expect from Apple.
When we are on this note, the ZDNET team has agreed that the ability to quickly replace almost any image with spatial depth is the “gimmick” feature we love the most. It is fun, easy to use, and firmly works well – now more than ever, on public beta. It is the same technique that gives lock screen wallpaper that has a zirocopic portrait effect.
3. A simplified camera layout
The largest app in iOS 26 is a simplified camera app layout. Apple now gives you two options for video and photo at the bottom, where you can swipe to reveal more settings such as flash, live photos, timers, and more. These can also be found by tapping the settings button on the top-right corner.
You can press, hold and drag to convert to other mode like cinematic videos, portraits, etc., first, I found very little new looks for my taste; Even if you are familiar with all tools and settings in the camera app, there is no clear indication – such as expand a menu button or symbol – how to access them. I think more casual users will find some settings, at least the beginning will struggle.
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Having a more minimal design gives you the benefit of a sharp and responsible UI, which is a major benefit for photographers and users who are looking to grab quick shots.
Excess of interface also makes framing and capturing subjects easier. My colleague Kerry recently visited Barcelona and Lisbon, which was filled with architecture and tilework in two cities with a Mediterranean influence. When he quickly improved when he switched to photo and video mode and framing sightseeing. When every small detail on buildings, roads and sculptures matters a lot, it is easily the ability to see how things were fitted within the visualization.
4. Safari gets the largest liquid glass treatment
Safari’s new liquid glass-eneensed look makes a big difference to read and browse web pages. Apple’s browser on iOS 26 not only looks better, but is more useful than before. For example, insisting on reducing the meditation ingredients means that the first two-power menu which was down (which was taken a good part of the web page) is now just a floating three-button navigation bar-which includes back buttons, URL Bar and Three-Dot button.
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When you scroll through a web page, the Nav bars decreases, and switching from one tab to another is faster than before with a swipe. I also like that Apple bundled additional web page options in the three-dot menu, with shares such as shortcuts, add to the favorite, also add bookmarks, etc.
One of our favorite new safari features is Hyptic queues. For example, when an image or file is successfully downloaded from the web browser, you will feel a gentle discussion, while the previous, it will appear as a hidden notification. These micro software tweex go a long way, so much that my colleague Kerry has mainly switched back from using chrome on its iPhone.
5. Our favorite lock screen feature is …
I have waited for this facility for years, and it is finally here. No, it is not an expandable clock widget that is compatible with wallpaper. Nor does it now have the ability to keep a tick widget on the lower half of the screen.
Instead, it is the fact that when you charge your iPhone, the iOS 26 displays an estimated battery charging time. This is a small touch, but one that proves to be surprisingly useful, gives me proper information when my iPhone will be fully charged when I am short on time. I am also a fan of fresh album artwork, which now fills the entire lock screen while streaming from Apple Music, Spotify and other services.
Bonus: Using my airpods as a camera remote
As a single traveler, there are times when I miss my Apple Watch – which I often leave at home to reduce charging needs – when I have to record or capture a image of myself. But now, I can trigger video recording in a wireless manner with my Airpods Pro 2.
Also: Your airpods are getting 2 major upgrade for free thanks to iOS 26
Apple’s iOS 26 starts recording the video in the camera by pressing and holding you on airpods or airpods pro with H2 chip. It should work especially for material creators and people like me who prefer to wear analog watch for an Apple Watch.
Keep in mind that at the end of this year, all the characteristics mentioned here can change here before the stable release, in which how they are accessed, how they look, and how they work. Nevertheless, iOS is one of the most important updates for Apple’s operating system in 26 years, and we cannot wait to see what more consumers think in the near future.
