iPhone 17 dummy unit. | Image credit – PhoneArena
We are getting closer to the iPhone 17 launch (seriously, how did that happen so fast? I swear I just finished writing about the iPhone 16). But once again, as I scroll through all the early leaks and rumors… I’m not really feeling the excitement for the phones themselves.
The upcoming base iPhone 17 and the iPhone 16 might look the same. | Image credit – PhoneArena
And yet – I am excited and it’s the software that’s stealing my attention this time.
I’m more hyped for iOS 26 than the iPhone 17
Video credit – Apple
Apple already gave us a preview of the new update earlier this year, and it’s even out in public beta now if you’re brave enough to try it. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for the iPhone 17 launch for the stable release.
Now, of course, not everyone is loving it. There’s been some very real criticism about readability, which is valid. But it seems like Apple is listening and already dialing it back a bit since the original preview. So I’m holding off on judging the looks until we get the final build. Let’s just see how things land when the dust settles.
It’s not all about gimmicks – it’s about usefulness, too
While Apple has been slow in rolling out more advanced AI features – and I think it is still clearly trailing behind Google and Samsung – this latest update actually brings useful tools. And that’s exactly why I’m excited. Finally, we are getting features that don’t fall into the AI gimmick category.
You know the type: Genmojis or tools that let you change the sky in your photo or turn yourself into a mermaid. Sorry, folks, but using AI for that kind of stuff? That’s just not why I love tech.
There’s already more than enough fake content out there. Do we really need tech companies making it even easier to blur the line between real and not? At this point, you can’t scroll through Reels or look something up without wondering if it’s legit or AI-generated nonsense. But hey – that’s a rant for another time.
And like I said, while some of the AI stuff still feels gimmicky, iOS 26 is also bringing genuinely useful features. The one I’m most interested in? The big upgrade to Visual Intelligence.
And it’s not just about pointing your camera at things anymore. Visual Intelligence in iOS 26 works with whatever’s on your screen, too. So if you take a screenshot, you can highlight text and search it (basically Apple’s version of Circle to Search), ask ChatGPT for more info, or even extract event details and add them to your calendar.
You can also search the entire image directly – just like with Google Lens. It’s simple, fast, and actually useful.
With iOS 26 Visual Intelligence gets even better. | Image by Apple
Then there’s the updated Phone app, which now uses AI to screen calls. Finally. No more spam calls, scam calls, or awkwardly declining that one person from your past who just won’t take the hint. This is exactly what I want AI to do – save me time and energy, not draw cartoons of me riding a unicorn through space. There, I said it.
The Phone app gets useful updates, too. | Image by Apple
However, I’ll give credit where it’s due – there are a few creative AI features that are actually pretty cool. Apple did sneak in one creative feature I actually like. You can turn your regular photos into 3D, which makes for some really cool-looking wallpapers with depth effects. The clock and widgets slide behind objects for that layered look. It’s not fake, it’s just fun.
Oh, and offline live translation? Yes, please. iOS 26 finally brings it and it’s one of those features that just makes sense – especially when traveling a lot.
Live Translation is one of those features I’ve been a little jealous of Android users for. | Image by Apple
#hyped #iPhone #upgrading #worth
