Apple has yet to release the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate, meaning the first beta of iOS 26.4 will likely be delayed for at least a few more weeks. If the company sticks to its usual timeline, the official global release could arrive around March or April.

Even before its debut, iOS 26.4 is generating buzz, with key leaks suggesting it could be the most important update in the iOS 26 series.

A smarter, more personal Siri powered by Google Gemini

The biggest anticipated feature in iOS 26.4 is a significantly more personalized Siri. Earlier this month, Apple and Google confirmed that Google’s Gemini AI model will assist in upgrading Siri, making it more intelligent and responsive to user context.

The new Siri, reportedly launching with iOS 26.4 after a long delay, will be better at understanding personal context, recognizing what’s on screen, and controlling apps in deeper ways. However, full capabilities may only be realized in iOS 27, expected later this year.

Apple first teased this vision at WWDC 2024, showcasing a scenario where Siri intelligently responded to a user’s question about their mother’s flight and lunch plans, pulling information directly from emails and Messages.

Looking further ahead, Apple is rumored to be developing a fully conversational Siri chatbot for iOS 27, similar to ChatGPT - a sign that the company is serious about competing in the generative AI space.

New emoji arriving right on schedule

Alongside AI upgrades, iOS 26.4 is also expected to deliver a fresh batch of emoji, continuing Apple’s long-standing tradition of releasing new emoji in March updates.

The Unicode Consortium has previewed several symbols likely to appear in this update, including a trombone, treasure chest, contorted face, furry Bigfoot-like creature, apple core, killer whale, and ballet dancers. These expressive additions aim to enrich casual communication across messaging apps and social platforms.

Apple has consistently added new emoji with its .4 updates in previous years, including iOS 18.4, iOS 17.4, iOS 16.4, and iOS 15.4, reinforcing expectations for this spring.

Small but meaningful quality-of-life upgrades

Beyond headline features like Siri and emoji, iOS 26.4 is expected to include a number of practical tweaks that improve daily user experience.

According to Filipe Espósito of Macworld, Apple is testing a feature that allows credit card information stored in the Apple Passwords app to autofill into third-party apps - streamlining the payment process.

The Freeform app is also rumored to be gaining folder creation support, making content organization more intuitive.

Another enhancement in the works is a new sports content package for the Apple TV app, though details remain scarce.

A noteworthy addition is a new verification system that checks a device’s integrity before allowing Apple ID or iCloud login - part of Apple’s ongoing push to strengthen security.

For AirPods users, the “Precision Outdoor Location” feature in the Find My app is expected to improve tracking when devices are misplaced outside.

An important spring update with everyday impact

While the full list of features is still evolving, iOS 26.4 is already shaping up to be a substantial update. It blends meaningful artificial intelligence advancements with thoughtful usability improvements.

With a smarter Siri, more expressive emoji, and a collection of low-key enhancements under the hood, iOS 26.4 could breathe new life into the iPhone experience this spring.

Hai Phong