On June 9, 2025, Apple announced iOS 26 and related updates for iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS at its Worldwide Developers Conference. This was the company’s biggest software update in more than ten years. The release’s main feature is Apple Intelligence, an AI-driven suite that is now deeply integrated into all Apple devices and offers live language translation, improved visual intelligence, intelligent writing tools, and more all while putting user privacy first thanks to its on-device processing model.
Key features arriving with iOS 26 and companion updates:
- Live Translation: Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese are among the languages that are currently supported for real-time voice and text translation in phone conversations, FaceTime, and messages. Thanks to contextual speech smoothing and overlay subtitles, reviews commend it for providing a more seamless and natural experience than competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy AI.
- Visual Intelligence: Contextual AI examines photos and screenshots to facilitate intelligent tasks like visual summarisation, object search, and calendar entry creation. This feature builds upon previous support for newer iPhones’ Camera Control for object recognition.
- Writing Tools and Smart Summaries: iOS’s built-in AI makes it possible for apps like Mail, Notes, and third-party apps to intelligently suggest tasks, proofread, rewrite, and summarise texts. This update also includes priority message detection and email summarisation.
- Genmoji & Image Playground Enhancements: With enhanced ChatGPT integration in Image Playground, users can now create personalised emojis (Genmoji) and rich images through prompts. AI-powered image generation even matches individuals in users’ photos.
- Liquid Glass UI: A new, cohesive design language for all Apple platforms that includes depth layering, ambient-aware adaptability, and translucent, dynamic interface elements.
- Other Enhancements: Improved Maps route predictions, new Apple Music AutoMix (AI-based cross fading, though known to occasionally cut song intros/outros), Safari and parental control updates, AI-driven workout guidance with WatchOS 26, new call screening tools like Hold Assist in Phone, group chat polls, and backgrounds in Messages, and improved AirPods voice features.
- Availability & Device Support: In September, along with the iPhone 17 series, a full rollout is anticipated. Developer and public beta versions are now accessible. However, the iPhone 15 Pro or later hardware is needed for many AI-powered features, such as Genmoji, Live Translation, and Visual Intelligence.
In keeping with its privacy-first philosophy, Apple is repositioning itself in the AI space with these updates, but it is opting for gradual advancements over dramatic innovations to catch up to competitors.
