IOS 26: the rollout begins

I’ve never enjoyed phone calls, but two excellent new features make them a lot better in iOS 26—and have made me a big fan of the Phone app. IOS 26 has emerged this Saturday as one of the stories drawing attention in Pakistan.

Key facts

• I’ve never enjoyed phone calls, but two excellent new features make them a lot better in iOS 26—and have made me a big fan of the Phone app.
• iOS 26 overhauled one of the iPhone’s original and most iconic apps: the Phone app.
• While I’ve never enjoyed phone calls, two excellent new features make them a lot better in iOS 26—and have made me a big fan of the app.
• Phone app was redesigned in iOS 26, but the best changes have nothing to do with the design.
• For example, iOS 18’s Photos redesign proved highly controversial, leading Apple to walk back some of the core changes.

What we know

Going deeper, iOS 26 overhauled one of the iPhone’s original and most iconic apps: the Phone app.

On the substance, while I’ve never enjoyed phone calls, two excellent new features make them a lot better in iOS 26—and have made me a big fan of the app.

Beyond the headlines, Phone app was redesigned in iOS 26, but the best changes have nothing to do with the design.

More precisely, For example, iOS 18’s Photos redesign proved highly controversial, leading Apple to walk back some of the core changes.

It is worth noting that Similarly, iOS 18.2’s Mail app overhaul wasn’t the best received.

By the numbers

At this stage, In iOS 26, the Phone app was the latest core app to get redesigned.

On a related note, But my indifference to the new design aside, Apple’s Phone app has become an absolute favorite update for me in iOS 26 thanks to two new features:.

Going deeper, Call Screening and Hold Assist features make iOS 26’s Phone app one of my favorite updates.

On the substance, these two features, combined with the beautiful new ringtones in iOS 26, have made the Phone app one of my favorite updates of the year.

The wider context

On a related note, Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:.

Going deeper, Apple doesn’t introduce big redesigns for apps very often.

On the substance, And its recent track record for major changes isn’t the best.

Beyond the headlines, I don’t dislike the changes, but they haven’t exactly sold me either.

More precisely, after Apple’s experiences with Photos and Mail, I’m not surprised the company shipped an option to revert to the old Phone design right from the start.

The bottom line

• While I’ve never enjoyed phone calls, two excellent new features make them a lot better in iOS 26—and have made me a big fan of the app.
• These two features, combined with the beautiful new ringtones in iOS 26, have made the Phone app one of my favorite updates of the year.
• After Apple’s experiences with Photos and Mail, I’m not surprised the company shipped an option to revert to the old Phone design right from the start.