iOS 26 is here - 5 of the best Apple Intelligence features to try right now

Your iPhone just got more intelligent

Features By John-Anthony Disotto published 16 September 2025

(Image credit: Apple)

iOS 26 is finally here, and your iPhone software just got a gorgeous redesign.

While the headline feature will be Liquid Glass, installing iOS 26 will also give you access to some new Apple Intelligence features that might improve your life in subtle, yet meaningful, ways.

I've whittled down the list of new AI-powered features available in iOS 26 (and iPadOS 26) and selected my five favorites. From in-app translation to new Apple Intelligence abilities in Shortcuts, there are plenty of reasons to install the new update right away, rather than wait for the iPhone 17 to launch later this week.

1. Live Translation

After using iOS 26 for a few months, I've found Live Translation to be my personal favorite new Apple Intelligence feature.

Built into Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, Live Translation lets you automatically translate messages, add translated live captions to FaceTime, and, on a phone call, the translation will be spoken aloud throughout the conversation, completely removing language barriers using AI.

I've written about how Live Translation has drastically improved my ability to communicate with my Italian in-laws, and trust me, if you regularly speak multiple languages, you'll also find this new Apple Intelligence feature to be a game-changer.

2. Genmoji and Image Playground upgrades

Apple launched Genmoji and Image Playground as part of the first wave of Apple Intelligence features, and now the company has improved its generative AI image tools.

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