iOS 26.4 has just been released, bringing a significant update for new iPhone features. Here are my top four favorite features introduced in iOS 26.4.
## #1: Apple Music’s ‘Playlist Playground’
Apple Music has received various new features in iOS 26.4, including an intriguing AI function: ‘Playlist Playground.’ With Playlist Playground, you can create new playlists simply using a text prompt. The Music app offers recommended prompts to choose from, but you can also start fresh and write whatever you wish. Once Playlist Playground has generated the new playlist, you can further refine it or manually add or remove songs to suit your preferences. This feature makes it easy to discover the right music for your mood.
## #2: New emoji
Apple usually introduces new emoji to the iPhone just once every year, and the newest additions can be found in iOS 26.4. The latest emoji include:
– Ballet Dancer
– Distorted Face
– Fight Cloud
– Hairy Creature
– Landslide
– Orca
– Trombone
– Treasure Chest
My personal favorites include the Distorted Face, Fight Cloud, Hairy Creature, and Treasure Chest, which are likely to be included in the regular emoji lineup.
## #3: Video upgrades in Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts has offered video podcasts for several years, but the feature had become stagnant and was not widely used by creators. With the increasing popularity of video content on YouTube and Spotify, Apple was due for an update—and iOS 26.4 provides just that. Apple has revamped the Podcasts app for an enhanced video experience. Users can easily switch between viewing and listening to shows, making the process of exploring and watching video podcasts as enjoyable as listening to audio podcasts. Users can watch videos directly in the app, switch to a horizontal fullscreen display, and download videos for offline viewing. Automatic quality adjustments powered by HLS technology guarantee smooth playback regardless of network conditions.
## #4: New design for Apple Music albums and playlists
Another feature in Apple Music is the new fullscreen layout for albums and playlists. Now, the Music app’s entire interface changes to complement the color of the album or playlist artwork. This stunning effect makes the app feel fresh and tailored to whatever you’re currently enjoying.
For more information on the new features available in iOS 26.4, check out our complete guide here. Which new iOS 26.4 features have you enjoyed the most so far? Share your thoughts in the comments.