Apple Unveils iOS 26 with AI-Powered Features and Enhanced Apps

At WWDC 2025, Apple announced iOS 26, packed with AI-powered and user-friendly features set to launch this fall. These updates span core apps like Phone, Messages, Wallet, Apple Music, Maps, FaceTime, and Photos, aiming to enhance communication, travel, and media experiences.

Smarter Communication with Call Screening and Live Translation

Call Screening now lets iPhones silently answer unknown calls in the background, asking callers to state their name and purpose. Only then does the phone ring, giving users control over which calls to take. Hold Assist detects hold music and keeps the line open until a live agent is available.

Live Translation is a game-changer, enabling real-time spoken translation during calls. As you speak, your words are translated aloud for the recipient, and their responses are translated back to you. This AI-driven feature also extends to Messages and FaceTime, breaking language barriers seamlessly.

Enhanced Messaging and Group Chat Features

Messages now supports group polls to simplify event planning and decision-making. AI suggests polls when relevant, making group coordination effortless. Custom backgrounds and typing indicators enrich the chat experience, while Apple Cash can be requested and sent within groups.

Unknown senders’ messages are filtered into a dedicated folder, remaining silent until accepted. Live Translation also translates typed messages on the fly, enabling smooth multilingual conversations.

Revolutionizing Wallet and Travel Convenience

Wallet introduces a Digital ID feature, allowing users to store a digital passport and driver’s license for identity verification in apps and TSA checkpoints. Real-time flight updates with Live Activities, sharing options, and integration with Maps and Find My enhance travel management.

Apple Intelligence automatically summarizes order tracking details from emails, streamlining package monitoring directly within Wallet.

Media and Maps Get Smarter and More Interactive

Apple Music’s new Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation features help users enjoy songs in other languages, while AudioMix offers seamless transitions between tracks, rivaling Spotify’s AI DJ. The karaoke mode turns your iPhone into a microphone for Apple TV sing-alongs.

Apple Maps uses on-device intelligence to suggest preferred routes for daily commutes, notify about delays, and suggest alternatives. The new Visited Places feature tracks locations like restaurants and shops, secured with end-to-end encryption.

User-Friendly Updates to Photos, Camera, and Podcasts

Responding to user feedback, Apple is restoring the tabbed interface in Photos for easier navigation. The app can now convert 2D photos into 3D spatial images.

The Camera app highlights the two most used capture modes upfront, with swipe gestures to access others and settings, streamlining the user experience.

Apple Podcasts introduces customizable playback speeds from 0.5x to 3x and an Enhance Dialogue feature that uses machine learning to clarify speech over background noise.

Creative Boost with Image Playground and ChatGPT Integration

Apple’s Image Playground now integrates ChatGPT, enabling users to generate unique images in various styles by describing their vision or uploading photos. This fusion of AI creativity tools expands artistic possibilities on iOS devices.