The topic iOS 26.4 adds four iPhone features that I’ve been loving is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
iOS 26.4 recently launched, and it’s a big update for new iPhone features. Here are my four favorite new iOS 26.4 features.
Apple Music gains several new features in iOS 26.4, including one exciting AI capability: ‘Playlist Playground.’
Playlist Playground lets you build new playlists with nothing more than a text prompt.
The Music app provides suggested prompts you can choose from, but you can also start from scratch and write anything you want.
After Playlist Playground creates the new playlist, you can give further input to refine it, or manually add or remove songs to your liking.
I love how easy Playlist Playground makes playlist creation. It makes finding the right music for my current mood pretty effortless.
Apple typically adds new emoji to the iPhone just once per year, and the latest batch is in iOS 26.4.
My personal favorites so far are the Distorted Face, Fight Cloud, Hairy Creature, and Treasure Chest. I can definitely see them joining my regular emoji rotation.
Apple Podcasts has supported video podcasts for years, but the feature grew stagnant and was barely utilized by creators. With the growing popularity of video shows on YouTube and Spotify, Apple was due for some upgrades of its own—and iOS 26.4 delivers.
Apple has given the Podcasts app a new and improved video experience. Here’s what’s changed, per Apple:
In the Apple Podcasts app, users will be able to switch seamlessly between watching and listening to shows, making the experience of discovering and viewing video podcasts as simple and enjoyable as listening to audio podcasts has always been. Users can watch video from within the app and move to horizontal full display, as well as download videos to watch offline. And automatic quality adjustment powered by HLS technologies ensures smooth playback across network conditions, delivering the best possible experience whether listeners are on Wi-Fi or a cellular connection.
The Podcasts app is already my preferred podcast client thanks to two excellent features: transcripts and automatic chapters. The new video experience is yet another reason I’m happy to stay in Apple Podcasts.
Another Apple Music feature is among my iOS 26.4 favorites: the new fullscreen design for albums and playlists.
Now, the Music app’s full UI tints to complement the color of the album or playlist art.
It’s a beautiful effect that makes the app feel fresh and personalized to whatever you’re listening to.
For more on the new features available in iOS 26.4, see our full guide here.
Which new iOS 26.4 features have you been enjoying most so far? Let us know in the comments.