Apple introduced many new features to iPhone 11 and newer models with the iOS 26 update released on September 15th. These features, which weren’t mentioned or emphasized in the introduction, aim to improve the user experience.

Reducing the Liquid Glass Effect

For those who dislike the “Liquid Glass” design, which consists of translucent menus and icons introduced in iOS 26, there’s an option. To address the difficulty in reading notifications caused by this effect, you can enable the “Reduce Transparency” option in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size. You can also use the “Increase Contrast” setting for clearer text.

Translating Lyrics in Apple Music

It’s now possible to translate song lyrics within the Apple Music app. When the lyrics of the song you’re listening to appear on the screen, you can select “Translate” to translate them to your desired language. The translated lyrics are displayed in sync with the song.

Taking Photos with AirPods

AirPods can now be used as the iPhone’s camera shutter. You can take hands-free photos by pressing the tip of the earbud. This feature is especially useful for group shots or shots taken with a tripod.

Viewing Your iPhone’s Estimated Charge Time

With iOS 26, you can see the time it takes for your iPhone to fully charge. When you plug the device in, the estimated charge time appears in Settings – Battery.

Adaptive Power Mode

Adaptive power mode extends battery life without user intervention. When the iPhone predicts it needs extra power, it automatically reduces background activity, refresh rate, and visual effects. Low power mode activates when the battery level drops below 20 percent. This feature is enabled in Settings – Battery – Power Mode.

Changing the Alarm Snooze Time
The classic 9-minute alarm snooze time is now adjustable. When creating or editing an alarm in the Clock app, you can set the snooze time between 1 and 30 minutes.

Adding a 3D Effect to Lock Screen Photos

iOS 26 adds depth and motion to lock screen photos with the “Spatial Scenes” feature. This AI-powered feature is available on iPhone 12 and newer models. Simply select a photo from the Settings – Wallpaper section and enable the “3D Spatial Scene” option to apply the effect.

Creating a Custom Ringtone

It’s now easier to use MP3 or WAV files saved in the Files app as ringtones. Tap and hold the file, select “Share,” and then select “Use as Ringtone.”

Copying Selected Text in a Message

Instead of copying an entire message in the Messages app, you can now select and copy just the desired text. Tap and hold the message, select “Select,” and then select the desired text.

Camera Lens Cleaning Notification

iOS 26 displays a warning in the Camera app when it detects a dirty lens. If images are blurry or out of focus, you’ll receive a notification that you need to clean the camera lens. This feature is enabled by selecting “Lens Cleaning Tips” in Settings – Camera.