The new iOS 26 brings major improvements to the iPhone, although most of the attention will be drawn to its Euro-inspired “Liquid Glass” design. However, not all iPhone models will be able to access all of iOS 26’s new features, as is the case with every software update.
Some of the most interesting new features in iOS 26 are reserved for newer or more powerful models. Many of them are related to Apple Intelligence.
Space scene on the lock screen
- Requires an iPhone 12 or later.
In iOS 26, we can activate a setting for our photos called Space Scene, which transforms them into a rather spectacular 3D effect. These 3D photos can be set as wallpaper and move when we move the iPhone, creating a rather impressive effect.
The effect is achieved when we move the iPhone so that the photos seem to come to life. It may seem like a feature that would only be available on modern iPhones, but only the iPhone 11 is missing from the list.
Suggestions and organization in the Reminders app
- Requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
With Apple Intelligence, Reminders can suggest tasks, grocery shopping, and follow-ups based on emails or other text messages on your device. It can also automatically categorize related reminders into sections within a list. It’s only compatible with iPhones that can use Apple Intelligence.
Order tracking in the Wallet app
- Requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
For some time now, we’ve been able to track some of our orders from the Wallet app if we purchased them with Apple Pay. But now Apple Intelligence analyzes our emails to add more orders so we can track them from the app.
Visual intelligence in screenshots
- Requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
This feature is again part of Apple Intelligence, so it’s restricted to iPhones capable of running Apple’s AI. Specifically, it allows us to use the Visual Intelligence feature on a screenshot, thereby obtaining information about what’s in that screenshot.
Live translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone
- Requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
It’s one of the most interesting features unveiled at WWDC25 and demonstrates how Apple’s AI has evolved significantly. Now, speaking to someone in another language is no problem, as the Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps now have live translation capabilities into your language.
Shortcuts App with Apple Intelligence Features
- Requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
Smart actions in Shortcuts can summarize text, create images, or directly use Apple Intelligence models to provide answers in specific shortcuts. This feature, once again, is reserved for the most powerful iPhones.
What’s new in Image Playground and Genmoji?
- Requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
These are two Apple Intelligence apps for creating images and emojis. Genmoji can now create emojis by combining two existing emojis or by writing a description that combines them. You can also customize the hairstyle, clothing, and more of a Genmoji inspired by a friend or family member.
Image Playground integrates the image generation powers of ChatGPT, unlocking a ton of new image style options, including: Anime, Oil Painting, Watercolor, Vector Image, Lithography, or any style.
Creating wallpapers and poll suggestions in Messages
- Requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
These Messages features are also powered by Apple Intelligence. They create custom backgrounds based on a description or a poll suggestion in our group chats. Only iPhones with an A17 Pro chip or higher could take advantage of these Apple AI-powered features.
