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The new operating system iOS 16 will support the iPhone 8, iPhone X and newer models. However, not all functions will be available for older iPhones. Below is an overview.
Some features are only available for iPhones with the A12 Bionic chip or newer available This includes the iPhone XR, iPhone XS (Max), iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro (Max), iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro (Max), iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro (Max) and iPhone SE (3rd generation) models.
- Live Text in videos: Text is now fully interactive in paused videos, so you can use features like copy and paste, look up, and translate. This feature works in Photos, Quick Look, Safari, and other apps.
- Quick actions in Live Text: Activate data detected in photos and videos with a single tap. Track flights or shipments, translate foreign languages, and convert currencies.
- New languages for Live Text: With iOS 16, Live Text recognizes Japanese, Korean and Ukrainian text.
- Emoji in text: As introduced during the WWDC keynote, you can insert emoji when sending messages with Siri. It's available in Cantonese (Hong Kong), English (Australia, Canada, India, UK, US), French (France), German (Germany), Japanese (Japan), Mandarin Chinese (Mainland China, Taiwan), and Spanish (Mexico, Spain, US).
- Discover Siri features and apps: Open an app and ask, “Hey Siri, what can I do here?” or ask for a specific app by saying something like, “Hey Siri, what can I do with iRobot?” This feature is available in German (Germany), English (Australia, Canada, India, UK, US), Spanish (Mexico, Spain, US), French (France), Japanese (Japan), Mandarin Chinese (Mainland China), and Cantonese (Hong Kong).
Image Search, Visual Look Up and more
- Completely new dictation experience: In iOS 16, you can switch seamlessly between voice and touch. Type with the keyboard, tap in the text field, move the cursor, and insert QuickType suggestions without stopping dictation.
- Add medications with your iPhone camera: In iOS 16, you can quickly add medications using the camera on your iPhone XR/XS or later. Simply position the medication label in the frame and you'll see results for medication name, strength, and form.
- Image search in more apps: With iOS 16, Spotlight uses information from images in messages, notes, and files to enable searches for places, people, scenes, or even things in the images, like text, a dog, etc.
- Visual enhancements for lookup: Make the subject stand out from an image or isolate the subject by removing the background. It works in Photos, Screenshot, Quick Look, Safari, and more.
- New areas for Visual Look Up: Visual Look Up now also recognizes birds, insects and statues.
iOS 16 features for iPhone 11 and higher
- Live Captions: For users who are deaf or hard of hearing, transcriptions are automatically generated in real time to make it easier to follow conversations, audio, and videos. Requires iPhone 11, iPad with A12 Bionic chip, or Mac with Apple Silicon. Available in English only (Canada, US).
iOS 16 features exclusive to iPhone 13 models
The iPhone 13 models also have exclusive features with iOS 16. Below is the list:
- Foreground blur in portrait photos: In Portrait mode, you can blur objects in the foreground of a photo to create a more realistic depth of field effect.
- Improved quality when recording in Cinematic mode: When you record video in Cinematic mode on iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, the depth of field effect is more accurate at profile angles and at the edges of hair and glasses.
iOS 16 will be released for all users in the fall. A public beta test is planned for next month. Whether your device is compatible with the new software, you can find out here. (Image: Apple)
