iOS 26 Public Beta is out: How to install on your iPhone? Top 5 features you should use

Apple has unveiled the first public beta for iOS 26, allowing iPhone enthusiasts to experience significant changes ahead of the official release. This ambitious update promises a fresh user interface, enhanced on-device intelligence, and powerful enhancements to the Phone, Camera, and Photos applications. Available for eligible iPhones starting today, the beta provides a glimpse into a more advanced and intuitive iPhone experience. However, Apple cautions users to only install it on secondary devices to avoid potential instability associated with beta software. The iOS 26 public beta is compatible with several models, but notably excludes older devices such as the iPhone XR and XS. Features powered by Apple’s new intelligence system will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models. Here are the top five standout features of iOS 26: 1. **Call Screening and Enhanced Phone App**: A major highlight of this update is the Call Screening feature, which prompts unknown callers to identify themselves before your phone rings, effectively filtering out spam. Additionally, Apple’s AI can summarize voicemails and utilize a Hold Assist feature that waits for a human operator to become available before notifying you. 2. **Revamped Camera and Photos App**: The photography experience sees a significant overhaul. The Photos app now features an organized layout with separate Library and Collections tabs, automatically categorizing images by trips, people, and pets, while also creating highlight reels. The Camera app includes improvements such as better HDR previews and smarter scene detection. 3. **Liquid Glass User Interface**: Apple introduces a striking new UI called Liquid Glass, characterized by frosted-glass textures and dynamic animations. The Lock Screen elements adapt based on wallpaper content, providing a more elegant visual experience. 4. **Apple Intelligence Features**: This new on-device AI system brings innovations like Live Translation during calls, intelligent writing assistance, and smart searches across applications. It also allows for the creation of personalized emojis (Genmoji) and stylized images, all while prioritizing user privacy through on-device processing. 5. **CarPlay Improvements**: CarPlay receives much-needed enhancements in iOS 26, including support for Live Activities to track real-time updates like food delivery statuses and match scores. It also offers redesigned call management and smarter navigation suggestions based on user habits and calendar events. **A Word of Caution**: As with any beta version, users may encounter bugs, battery drain, and occasional app crashes. It is advisable to install it on a secondary device if you prefer to avoid potential issues. The fully stable version of iOS 26 is anticipated to be released in September, shortly after the unveiling of the iPhone 17 series.