Yes, it’s called iOS 26, not iOS 19. Yes, that’s weird. But the update? Surprisingly impressive.
On June 9 at WWDC 2025, Apple will reveal what might be its most dramatic iOS overhaul in a decade. The new software, officially named iOS 26 (yes, really), marks Apple’s grand entrance into the AI phone wars—and it’s not doing it quietly.
Before we go any further: the name. You’re probably wondering, what happened to iOS 19? You’re not alone. Apple reportedly jumped from 18 to 26 to sync the iOS numbering with the rest of its OS ecosystem—iPadOS 26, macOS 15, etc. It’s a little chaotic, but hey, it’s Apple. They gave us the notch and made it fashion.
But back to the good stuff: this update isn’t just window dressing. iOS 26 is packed with features—some flashy, some subtle, and some that feel straight out of a sci-fi pitch deck. The star of the show? A new system called Apple Intelligence.
Let’s break it down.
Apple Intelligence: Siri Got a Brain, and Your iPhone Just Got Way Smarter
This isn’t just AI for the sake of hype. Apple Intelligence (yes, that’s the actual name) is a deep integration of generative AI throughout your iPhone’s core apps and interactions. Think of it as your phone finally understanding not just what you say, but why you’re saying it.
Key Features of Apple Intelligence (and what they actually mean for you)
So, what does this AI upgrade actually do? Apple Intelligence is built to be your phone’s invisible co-pilot—always helping, rarely annoying. Here’s how it works in real life:
● Writing Tools That Aren’t Cringe
From text messages to work emails to long Notes rants, AI can:
- Summarize, rewrite, and polish your writing
- Offer tone shifts (friendly, professional, concise)
- Auto-generate responses to things like emails or event invites
Basically, it’s like having an editor who lives in your keyboard.
● Smart Notifications That Get You
Notification chaos? Not anymore.
- Apple Intelligence will prioritize what’s urgent (mom’s text, your boarding pass)
- Bundle and summarize the rest
- Help you cut through the noise without going full Do Not Disturb
Finally, a way to look at your lock screen without a minor panic attack.
● Siri, But Make It Useful
This is the biggest Siri update… ever.
- Understands context and can handle follow-ups like a real convo
- Can find stuff buried in apps (“Show me the doc Jen shared last week”)
- You can now type to Siri when you don’t feel like talking
It’s giving “personal assistant,” not just “voice command toy.”
● Image Playground: AI Art, But Make It Apple
Feeling creative?
- Generate cute, weird, aesthetic images from just a prompt
- Use your own photos to create stickers, visuals, or memes
- Think of it as Canva meets Midjourney, but in your phone
Perfect for your group chat or next vision board spiral.
● Genmoji: Emojis for Your Weirdly Specific Feelings
Custom emoji time.
- Create unique emojis based on descriptions
- Use friends’ faces (with consent, hopefully)
- Finally express “vampire at a disco feeling nostalgic” in one tap
This is lowkey the sleeper hit of the update.
● Visual Intelligence: Smarter Photos and Camera
Your camera and Photos app now think with you.
- Identify items, extract text, or get info from photos
- Search your library with casual phrases like “pics from concert with red lights”
No more endless scrolling to find that one screenshot.
● ChatGPT Integration: When Siri Needs Backup
If Siri hits a wall, it calls in OpenAI’s ChatGPT (with your permission).
- Brainstorm ideas, write longform, answer deep questions
- All while maintaining Apple’s “privacy first” approach—processing happens on-device or in a locked-down cloud
A surprising partnership, but it actually makes sense.
The Bigger Picture: Can Apple Actually Compete in the AI Phone War?
Apple isn’t first to this game. Google’s already shoving Gemini into Android, Samsung’s slapping “AI” on everything, and ChatGPT has been basically running the internet since 2023. So is Apple too late?
Not necessarily.
Apple’s playing a long game: privacy, polish, and integration. While others chase viral demos, Apple wants AI to feel like a natural extension of your phone—so smooth you forget it’s even AI. And if they pull it off, that might be the smartest move of all.
Other Features You’ll See in iOS 26
- New “Solarium” Design Language – Transparent glass-style UI, inspired by Vision Pro aesthetics
- Camera App Redesign – Easier controls, better access to pro features
- CarPlay Upgrades – New layouts, widgets, and smarter suggestions
- Wi-Fi Login Revamp – Better public Wi-Fi handling (finally)
- Bug Fixes and Performance – Because your battery deserves a break too
Should You Even Update?
Now, before you slam that “Install Now” button at 2 a.m. while half-asleep: a word of caution. If you’re rocking anything older than an iPhone 15 Pro, most of these AI features won’t even show up—and even if they do, your device might feel like it’s wading through peanut butter. We’ve seen this movie before: the lag, the random crashes, the slow death of your battery. You get frustrated. You tell yourself you’ll hold out. And then, one beautifully lit promo video later… you’re holding a brand-new iPhone 16 like it was always meant to be.
Some say it’s a bug. Others say it’s just the ecosystem doing its job.
Stay strong out there. Or don’t. Whether you update or upgrade, you’re still Cook’d.
