iOS 26 features only available on iPhone 15 Pro and above

iOS 26 brings a lot of changes to the iPhone. While the highlight—the Liquid Glass redesign—is available on all iPhones that can run iOS 26, the new update has a few features that require newer iPhone models and Apple Intelligence. Here are the features and their device requirements.

Last year, visual intelligence debuted as a dedicated camera feature for the iPhone 16 series. Now, the AI Visual intelligence with screenshots feature has been expanded to more places across the system—like screenshots.

Take a screenshot in iOS 26 and you'll see the option to use visual intelligence to analyze what you've captured. But ironically, Visual intelligence with screenshots is only available for iPhone 15 Pro and above, the regular "two-eyed" version is not supported either.

Translate in-line in Messages, FaceTime, Phone. This year, Apple has made a big effort to support live translation across multiple devices. Live translation works in Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, making language barriers less of an issue than they used to be. In Messages, Live Translation can automatically translate messages.

If users are making plans with new friends while traveling abroad, their messages can be translated as they type, sent in the recipient's desired language, and when they receive a response, each message can be translated instantly. During FaceTime calls, users can follow the translated live captions while still hearing the speaker's voice. And when making a phone call, the translation will be read aloud during the conversation.

Action Shortcuts with AI power . Apple's Shortcuts app got new gestures in iOS 26 that tap into existing AI features. For example, you can use actions to create images, summarize text, or "tap directly into Apple Intelligence models to provide feedback that feeds into your shortcuts." If you're a Shortcuts user, tapping into Apple Intelligence opens up entirely new powers that weren't available before.

Reminder suggestions and organization. In iOS 26, Apple Intelligence powers two new features in the Reminders app: Organization Suggestions With AI, Reminders will suggest creating new tasks or groceries based on text detected on your device in your iMessages, emails, etc. On the organization side, Reminders can also automatically categorize task lists into different sections using AI.

Apple Wallet Order Tracking. Apple Wallet has offered order tracking for years, but merchants have largely been reluctant to support it, so you probably rarely take advantage of it on your iPhone. But in iOS 26, Apple is using AI to pull order tracking information from emails in your inbox. This means merchants don’t have to sign up for Apple’s system for their orders to show up in the Wallet app. Hopefully, this will make Apple Wallet order tracking much more useful than it already is.

Upgraded Genmoji and new Image Playground. Last year, Genmoji and Image Playground debuted as new image tools from Apple Intelligence. In iOS 26, these existing features are getting upgraded in several ways. You can now create a Genmoji by combining two existing emojis or writing a description next to the mix. You can also customize your Genmoji's hairstyle, outfit, etc. when inspired by a friend or family member.

Create message backgrounds and poll suggestions. While you can create polls in Messages on any iPhone model, if your device supports AI, you'll see poll suggestions that can be easily drafted using Apple Intelligence. As for Wallpapers, in addition to the stock images Apple offers for everyone, newer iPhones can also create custom wallpapers using the built-in Image Playground.

A small consolation from Apple for iPhone users older than 15 Pro. iOS 26 will beautify your iPhone Lock Screen not only with a new Liquid Glass design but also with a fun 3D effect. From Apple's website describing the changes to the Lock Screen: Time will automatically adjust to the photo and the surrounding space, keeping the subject in view. When you move your iPhone, the photo will come to life with a new 3D effect. The 3D effect on the Lock Screen is a rare feature that supports the iPhone 12.