Everything about iOS 26: Apple Intelligence, new features, real-world user problems, and whether you should update now. Get the full breakdown.
Source: Apple
iOS 26 is here, and like every big update, it comes with a mix of excitement, confusion, and a few “why is my phone acting like this?” moments. Apple has packed in some genuinely impressive features, but real users are already pointing out the rough edges. Let’s break it down the smart way—what’s new, what’s cool, and what’s giving people headaches.
Read – Apple Event Key Highlights – 2025
What’s New in iOS 26?
Apple clearly wants to blur the line between your iPhone, Mac, and Vision Pro headset. iOS 26 takes a big step in that direction with a bunch of upgrades:
- Apple Intelligence (AI with a twist): Not just another AI, but Apple’s “on-device, private-first” assistant. Think writing suggestions, smart summaries, and image editing baked into your apps—without your data running off to the cloud. Apple Intelligence isn’t live here yet. Indian users who upgrade won’t see the new AI features until Apple rolls them out region by region.
- Genmoji & Image Playground: Because regular emojis were too basic, now you can create personalised “Genmojis” or whip up custom visuals in Messages. Meme makers just got a new playground.
- Siri 2.0 (finally smarter): Siri got a long-awaited upgrade. You can now type to Siri, ask for context-aware tasks, and expect fewer “Sorry, I didn’t get that” responses.
- iPhone Mirroring: Your iPhone screen now shows up on your Mac. Perfect for pretending to “work” while checking Insta.
- Notifications on Mac: No more juggling devices. Get iPhone alerts straight on your laptop.
- Passwords App: A proper app (finally!) that stores all your logins, Wi-Fi passwords, and 2FA codes in one place. Goodbye, messy Notes app hacks.
- Messages Upgrade:
- Schedule messages.Add effects inline.Tapbacks with any emoji.
- And yes, RCS support—green bubble drama slightly reduced.
- Safari Highlights: Automatic webpage summaries, smarter Reader mode, and AI-powered highlights. Basically, your lazy way out of long reads.
- Photos Overhaul: Cleaner design, new “Collections” that auto-sort by themes, and better search. Your 2016 memes won’t haunt you as much.
- Other gems: Redesigned Control Centre, improved Mail app with digest summaries, smarter Health and Journal apps, and deeper integration with Vision Pro.
Source: Apple Support
iOS 26 vs Older Versions
Is it a big leap? Yes and no.
- Compared to iOS 17/18, the AI-driven features are a huge shift. Apple finally caught up to the AI craze.
- But if you strip away Apple Intelligence, the other updates (Photos redesign, Messages tweaks, Safari improvements) feel more like refinements than revolutions.
Pros of iOS 26
- A real AI that respects privacy.
- iPhone + Mac integration is smoother than ever.
- Passwords app eliminates the need for third-party managers.
- Messages finally catch up to modern texting standards.
- The Photos app is actually usable for once.
Cons of iOS 26
- Bugs, glitches, and more bugs. Early users report overheating, battery drain, random freezes, and Wi-Fi drops.
- Apple Intelligence is not available on all iPhones—only the newer ones with A17 Pro and M-series chips get the full deal. Translation: your old iPhone won’t feel very “intelligent.”
- Some users say Siri still stumbles despite the facelift.
- RCS support is there, but don’t expect it to magically fix Apple-Android messaging wars.
Source: Apple
Who Should Update to iOS 26?
- The Curious Ones: If you love being the first to try new features, go for it. Just be ready to tolerate some bugs.
- iPhone + Mac Users: If you live in the Apple ecosystem, the mirroring and notification sync are game-changers.
- Privacy Enthusiasts: Apple Intelligence is worth it if you’re tired of AI tools mining your data.
- Casual Users on Older Devices: Maybe wait a few updates. No point trading stability for features you won’t even get.
Real Problems Users Are Facing
Scrolling through Reddit and Apple Community forums shows a common theme: iOS 26 feels half-baked right now.
- Battery Drain: Phones are heating up, and the battery is dropping faster than ever.
- Connectivity Issues: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are cutting out randomly.
- App Crashes: Especially third-party apps not yet optimised for iOS 26.
- Lag & Freezes: Even newer iPhones aren’t immune.
So yes, Apple gave us smarter AI, but also gave us flashbacks of iOS 13’s rocky start.
Read – iPhone Air – All You Need to Know
FAQs About iOS 26
Will my old iPhone support Apple Intelligence?
No. Only the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and newer models with A17 Pro or M-series chips can use all AI features.
Is iOS 26 safe to install now?
It’s stable enough for daily use, but early bugs are real. If you can’t risk downtime, wait for iOS 26.1.
Does iOS 26 finally support RCS?
Yes. But don’t expect miracles—green bubbles are still green.
Can I downgrade if I hate iOS 26?
Yes, but only while Apple is still signing the older version. That window closes quickly.
iOS 26 is ambitious. Apple finally dipped its toes into AI in a way that feels useful and not creepy. But like every big update, it’s not flawless. The features are tempting, but the bugs are frustrating. If you’re the adventurous type, dive in. If not, let others test the waters and jump in later when it’s less glitchy.
