iOS 16 reached the Public Beta and can be downloaded on iPhone 8 and newer models. (Amritanshu / HT Tech)
iOS 16 reached the Public Beta and can be downloaded on iPhone 8 and newer models. (Amritanshu / HT Tech)
iOS 16 is easily a bigger upgrade over last year's iOS 15 and it shows. Right from the lockscreen, Apple ensures that iPhone users need no more have to take cover when Android fans show off their customised homescreens. However, in just a few hours with the update, iOS 16 feels more than just a one pony trick – it is much more than just a fancy lockscreen. As someone who frequents between an iPhone and Android, iOS 16 tries to diminish that long-existing gap between these two platforms. It is still not as versatile as Android but iOS 16 helps the iPhone shed that “boring” tag.
Note that at this moment, iOS 16 is in public beta and will require you to sign up for the Apple Beta Program. Once you sign up, you will be able to download it on your phone provided you have an iPhone 8 or newer model. Being a beta version, iOS 16 will be buggy initially and could drain your iPhone's battery faster than usual; hence we advise caution before you sign up and download the update.
We have downloaded the iOS 16 Beta 1 on our iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Mini, and here's what we have seen so far. But first, the important question…
ARE there any BUGS?
iOS 16 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)
iOS 16 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)
On our units of the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Mini, we are yet to encounter any critical big that breaks the experience. The battery life has been on par with the stable iOS 15 release on both these phones. There is one issue that repeats every year – bank apps are not working at the moment (the ICICI Bank app crashes).
With that out of the way, let's dive down into the early glimpse at iOS 16.
iOS 16 lockscreen no more a mess!
iOS 16 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)
iOS 16 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)
Back in 2020, Apple introduced large widgets for the iPhone's homescreen and people went mad customising it with third-party icon packs and themes. iOS 16 does something similar two years later with its customisable lockscreen. As you have seen already, you will be able to change the font of the lockscreen clock, modify the complications, and even add widgets. All of this is minimal but in reality, it makes the lockscreen way more useful that it ever has been. The ability to check the temperature and weather conditions, as well as your health stats from the Health widget is a bonus. Widgets are limited though and it remains to be seen how developers take advantage of this.
Another big change is the way notifications are handled. No more will your Paytm notifications hide your beautiful wallpaper – instead, they will simply be stacked at the bottom and a swipe up will expand them on the lockscreen. This arrangement outdoes Android's lockscreen notification management, although Samsung's OneUI lockscreen does it more neatly. Still, the iPhone's lockscreen is no more a mess!
Keyboard is alive
iOS 16 keyboard (Amritanshu / HT Tech)
iOS 16 keyboard (Amritanshu / HT Tech)
Yes, the iPhone keyboard is finally alive. After years and years of wait, Apple adds the ability to get haptic feedback on the keyboard. You have to enable it from Settings>Sound and Haptics> Keyboard> Haptics. Once done, your iPhone lets out minor vibrations upon every keystroke. The haptic feedback isn't as good as what you get on Samsung and some other Android flagships but better something than nothing, right? Believe me, typing texts is so much better due to the vibrations.
Face ID now sideways!
On both our iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Mini, the Face ID detection now works in horizontal orientation as well. Hence, while watching a YouTube video or game, if the screen locks, you can unlock it instantly without having to do hand gymnastics with your iPhone.
Spotlight on easy Search
iOS 16 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)
iOS 16 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)
Have you always wanted an easy access to the Spotlight universal search feature? It has always been a swipe down away but the homescreen now has a small search button just between the dock and homescreen apps. The Spotlight searchers are more detailed than ever.
Cool new music player on lockscreen
The music player widget on the locksreen has always been meh. iOS 16 spices it up with a larger album art when there are no notifications on the lockscreen. When there ARE notifications, you see a smaller widget that smartly shows the wallpaper behind, since it is stacked upon the notifications too.
Copy-Paste images like MAGIC
iOS 16 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)
iOS 16 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)
On any photo, iOS 16 now allows you to long tap on the subject and copy it like a Pro! The cutouts are good even on the trickiest of subjects and is a good way to quickly send personalised stickers. Good bye screenshots and pesky image editing apps.
Protected Hidden/ Recently Deleted Photos folder
iPhones have always lacked a protected folder for your documents and apps. While iOS 16 doesn't bring that folder yet, it now puts a Face ID or Touch ID lock on the Hidden and Recently Deleted folder. Hence, if you have some sensitive photo or screenshot, you can now lock it in the Hidden Folder without worrying that your kids may access them.
There are several other iOS 16 features that we are yet to try. Moreover, we will be updating our experience over the next few months and see whether iOS 16 improves or pales out.
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