iOS 26.4 - This Is Big!

Apple's iOS 26.4 beta 2 shows promising improvements in performance and battery life over iOS 26.3, despite some lingering bugs and user experience inconsistencies.

• iOS 26.4 beta 2 significantly improves battery life, performance, and fixes critical bugs compared to iOS 26.3.

• Apple is expanding its hardware and services globally, with new product releases anticipated and Apple Pay coming to India.

• While 26.4 beta 2 is promising, it still has minor application-specific bugs to address before public release.

Apple continues to refine its operating systems, with iOS 26.4 beta 2 addressing critical issues like connectivity and charging, offering a smoother experience, and improving power management. While iOS 26.3 remains a mixed bag for users, iOS 26.4 beta 2 indicates a positive trajectory for upcoming public releases and potential new product launches. Apple is also expanding its global presence and manufacturing capabilities, with significant developments in India and the US.

Apple News & Products

• 00:00:39 Apple has opened a second retail store in Mumbai and has seen iPhone and iPad devices approved for NATO restricted-level classified access, marking a significant security milestone. The company is preparing for a 'big week' of product releases, potentially including new Macs, an iPhone 17e, a new Studio Display, and updated base iPads and iPad Airs, with most expected to receive spec bumps with M5 Pro/Max chips. Apple is also laying the groundwork to bring Apple Pay to India and plans to start assembling Mac minis in Houston, Texas, later this year.

New iOS Features

• 00:04:03 iOS 26.4 beta 2 introduces several new features, including the ability to see the build number within the software update details and improved encryption status reporting for RCS text messages. Subtitle styles in the TV app now offer more customization options, and missed calls display the originating city and state. A new flip phone style glyph has also been added for shortcuts, and the App Store is testing age verification in certain regions and an Apple Music shortcut for some users.

iOS 26.3 User Experience

• 00:10:43 The overall experience with iOS 26.3 is highly divided among users, with about 40% reporting a stable and snappy update with improved standby time and fixed CarPlay connection issues. However, a significant majority of users are frustrated by severe battery drain, random overheating, UI and animation stutters, and glitches in the keyboard and random app crashes, especially on older devices.

iOS 26.4 Beta 2 Improvements

• 00:11:32 iOS 26.4 beta 2 shows substantial improvements, earning a 'B' grade from the community, with nearly two-thirds of users reporting phenomenal battery life and cooler running temperatures. Key fixes include resolving system data inflation, charging bugs, AirPods disconnect issues, and UI stutters, alongside better modem connectivity. While core system performance is smoother, some specific applications like the App Store and Spotlight search still exhibit sluggishness or bugs, indicating its early beta status.