Apple releases iOS 26 Public Beta, top features to try out

Apple has rolled out the iOS 26 Public Beta, giving iPhone users an early look at some of the software’s most anticipated features ahead of its official release this autumn.

Apple has released the iOS 26 Public Beta.

The update introduces a series of design upgrades, AI-powered tools, and improvements to core apps aimed at enhancing everyday use.

One of the most striking additions is Liquid Glass, a dynamic new look that turns the refraction and transparency up a notch across the entire UI.

This subtle yet visually impressive feature is designed to make iPhones feel more immersive and responsive, and is slated to be the software’s new design for years to come.

Another standout feature is Call Screening, which uses on-device AI to answer calls on your behalf.

Similar to Google’s own Call Screening feature found on their Pixel phones, it can provide real-time transcripts of incoming calls – helping users decide whether the call is worth answering, or if it is spam that should be ignored.

Apple is also pushing further into AI with Image Search, part of its new Visual Intelligence suite.

The feature – which is similar to Google’s Circle to Search – allows users to draw a circle around any object in a photo or video to instantly search for related information, products, or context online, making it one of iOS 26’s most useful tools for everyday tasks.

The Camera app has been completely redesigned with a cleaner interface and faster access to popular shooting modes.

It now features a refreshed Pro mode for advanced users, while casual photographers will benefit from improved AI scene recognition and faster capture speeds.

Meanwhile, Apple has introduced new context-aware features in the Messages app, including smart reply suggestions powered by on-device intelligence and improved message filtering to better manage spam and unknown senders.

The iOS 26 Public Beta is available now for anyone with a compatible iPhone – from iPhone 11 to iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max – though Apple advises users to install it on secondary devices due to potential bugs and unfinished features.

The full iOS 26 version is expected to launch in September alongside Apple’s newest iPhone 17 line-up.

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