Top 6 New Features Revealed

After the bold, AI-driven visual changes in iOS 26, Apple appears to be fine-tuning the details with iOS 26.2 Beta 1, currently in beta testing. It doesn’t reinvent the system, but quietly tweaks the way the iPhone feels in everyday life, from sleep tracking to lock screen design. Here’s everything you need to know.

A Closer Look at 5 Key Features

1. Liquid Glass Lock Screen Slider

iOS 26.2 introduces a new slider for Liquid Glass lock screenallowing users to adjust the transparency of the clock background. The previous, fully transparent design was visually striking but sometimes difficult to read in bright conditions. With this update you can dial in the effect up or down depending on your preference, and there is always a “Solid” mode toggle for maximum readability.

Credit by MacRumors

2. Apple News app updates

iOS 26.2 updates the Apple News interfaceby adding quick access category tabs for topics like sports, finance, food, politics, etc. The “Next” tab has been separated from search, making it easier to access curated content.

This update improves content discovery and reduces friction when finding the news that matters to you. It streamlines navigation for casual readers and power users.

Credit by MacRumors

3. Smarter Sleep Score in the Health app

Apple has refined the Sleep score system, adjusting category ranges to better reflect how users feel about their rest.

For example, “Very Low” is now between 0 and 40, “OK” is between 61 and 80, and “Very High” is now between 96 and 100. The underlying calculation – based on sleep duration, consistency and interruptions – remains the same, but the new ranges make the score more intuitive.

This helps iPhone users understand their quality of sleep at a glance. Scores now correspond more closely to personal perception, which can motivate healthier sleep habits.

Credit by MacRumors

4. AirDrop Security Improvements (Speculative)

Clues from developer code suggest Apple could introduce a PIN-based AirDrop pairing systemallowing for longer sharing sessions and increased security.

User experience: If implemented, this will give users more control over file sharing, preventing accidental or unauthorized transfers, especially in public places.

6. AirPods Live Translation Extension

For users in the European Union, AirPods Pro (2nd and 3rd generation) And AirPods (4th generation) now support real-time translation. Supported languages ​​include English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

This feature makes traveling, international calls, and multilingual conversations easier than ever, directly through your AirPods without relying on third-party apps.

Additional Improvements

• System performance: smoother animations under the Liquid Glass design and better color contrast in menus.

• Accessibility: New “Screen Flash for Alerts” and improved security alerts for emergencies like earthquakes and severe weather.

• Bug fixes: Optimized battery efficiency and improved app stability, especially on older devices.

Conclusion

iOS 26.2 Beta 1 may not be revolutionary, but it represents a thoughtful round of refinement. Apple focuses on improve usability, personalization and daily productivity. From subtle visual tweaks to app improvements, these updates show that Apple is listening to user feedback and quietly improving the iPhone experience.