iOS 26.4 launches later this month, and it’s a big update for new iPhone features. Here are my four favorite iOS 26.4 features that are coming soon.
#1: Apple Music’s ‘Playlist Playground’
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.
#2: New emoji
Apple typically adds new emoji to the iPhone just once per year, and the latest batch is in iOS 26.4.
New emoji include:
- Ballet Dancer
- Distorted Face
- Fight Cloud
- Hairy Creature
- Landslide
- Orca
- Trombone
- Treasure Chest
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.
#3: Video upgrades in Apple Podcasts
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 looks set to deliver.
Apple is giving the Podcasts app a new and improved video experience. I haven’t been able to test it yet in the beta, but here’s what Apple says is coming:
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 technology ensures smooth playback across network conditions, delivering the best possible experience whether listeners are on Wi-Fi or a cellular connection. Video episodes will integrate with existing features Apple Podcasts users already love, including personalized recommendations and editorial curation on the New tab and in Category pages.
The Podcasts app is already my preferred podcast client thanks to two excellent features: transcripts and automatic chapters. I’m excited to see the video experience get an overhaul too.
#4: New design for Apple Music albums and playlists
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 coming in iOS 26.4, see our full guide here.
Which new iOS 26.4 features have you most enjoyed in the beta, or are you especially looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.
Best iPhone accessories
- AirPods Pro 3 (limited-time $224 price)
- 10-year AirTag battery case 2-pack
- MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone
- Apple’s new AirTag 2 (1-pack / 4-pack)
- 100W USB-C fast charging power adapter
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