Apple’s latest iOS update started rolling out yesterday, and honestly, it’s a lot more than just the usual bug fixes. I think it might be one of the bigger shifts in how the iPhone feels in quite a few years. It’s not just a simple list of new features—it actually changes how you interact with the thing.
Spam Calls and a Fresh Look
Right off the bat, the new spam tools are probably what people will notice first. Unknown callers can now be asked to state their purpose before your phone even rings. It’s a simple thing, but it could cut down on so many interruptions. Texts from numbers you don’t know get filtered into a separate inbox, too. A small word of caution, though—sometimes legitimate codes from your bank or a verification service might end up there, so it’s worth checking.
Then there’s the visual refresh Apple is calling “Liquid Glass.” It’s the most noticeable design change in a long time. Everything has a bit more depth, a kind of translucent shimmer. It’s slick, but I can see how it might not be for everyone. The good news is you can tone it down in the accessibility settings if it’s too much.
Smarter Battery and On-Device Smarts
Battery life is always a concern, and iOS 26 introduces an Adaptive Power mode. It basically learns how you use your phone and makes tiny, almost invisible adjustments on heavy days to save juice. It might slightly lower the brightness or limit some background activity. On newer phones, it can even switch to Low Power Mode automatically if you hit 20%.
The AI features, which Apple calls Apple Intelligence, are also more woven into everything. Live translation works in calls and messages, and the phone just seems to understand what’s on the screen better. It’s less about you telling it what to do and more about it offering to help.
Small Touches That Add Up
There are a bunch of other things that just make the phone feel more considered. Screenshots, for instance, now hang around for a second so the phone can scan them for useful info, like a date or address, and suggest an action. The Phone app is cleaner and has a new hold-assist feature that waits on hold for you and notifies you when a real person picks up.
Messages in group chats feel less chaotic now, with polls and better indicators of who’s typing. For parents, there are stronger controls, like requiring approval before a child can message someone new.
It’s worth noting that this update only works on iPhone 11 models and newer. So if you’ve got an XS or XR, you’re out of luck this time. The version number jump—from 18 to 26—is just Apple switching to a year-based naming system.
All in all, it feels like Apple is trying to make the phone a quieter, more helpful partner. It’s not flashy, but the changes are thoughtful. Perhaps that’s the point.
