It's not inaccurate to say that Apple Intelligence may have played a starring role in iOS 18's release last year, but for iOS 26, Apple's suite of AI tools is recast in more of a supporting part. This time around, the focus has been on interface updates, with Liquid Glass seizing the spotlight.
But it would be unfair to describe iOS 26 as an update that gives short shrift to Apple Intelligence. Apple has introduced some new AI capabilities with this iPhone software update, even though one of the most anticipated changes — a smarter, more context-aware Siri — isn't part of the currently available iOS 26 public beta nor will it be arriving any time before 2026.
