How To Explore iOS 26 on Your iPhone 12 Pro: A Complete Review

iOS 26 just dropped, and after installing it on the iPhone 12 Pro, it’s kind of a mixed bag. The download was hefty—around 7.78 GB—so you know Apple’s packing in some new stuff. The install took a while, and yeah, the phone heated up a bit during the process (not sure why, but that’s kinda common with big updates). Post-upgrade, everything feels more or less stable, though some quirks are probably gonna surface with time.

New Liquid Glass UI Design

One of the first things you notice is the shiny new liquid glass UI. It’s super sleek, and honestly, some of the icons look like they’ve been dipped in resin or something. But here’s the catch—transparency and the flowy effects make it kind of a pain to find settings or icons when you’re in a rush. I’ve been toggling between “looks cool” and “where’d that option go?” It’s kind of weird, but the effect definitely makes everything feel more modern. Just be prepared for your eyes to adjust, or you might feel a bit lost in menus at first.

Why it helps: It’s supposed to make the interface feel more alive and fresh.
When it applies: If your device feels sluggish or outdated, but you like eye candy, this UI might be worth checking out.
What to expect: More eye-catching animations, but maybe less clarity sometimes. Expect a small learning curve.

Updated Phone Application UI

The Phone app got a facelift, too. The bottom buttons now have that glassy vibe, kinda fits with the new UI overall. Not sure why, but it feels a bit gaudy in some lighting, like they prioritized looks over usability. On one setup it worked, on another—nope, still not me, but that’s just personal taste.

Why it helps: It modernizes the look and can make important features more premium-feeling.
When it applies: If you’re someone who uses the phone app a lot and wants the latest aesthetic, this is for you.
What to expect: Slightly more stylish, but not necessarily more functional. Also, it may take some getting used to.

Enhanced Call Features

Hold Assist and Call Screening are the new kiddie rides here. They’re meant to make managing nuisance calls a bit easier. Hold Assist helps you put calls on hold and switch between calls better—kind of handy if you juggle multiple calls at once. Call Screening is a godsend for avoiding scam calls; it shows you who’s calling and lets you decide in real-time. It’s a bit like having a gatekeeper that you actually want to keep around.

Why it helps: Sometimes spam calls get overwhelming, and these features cut down the annoyance.
When it applies: If you’re tired of answering spam calls or managing busy lines, these tools could save the day.
What to expect: Better control over incoming calls, fewer interruptions, but might need to toggle settings for best results in your region.

Customizable iMessage Backgrounds

Finally, some fun: setting custom backgrounds in iMessage and the new poll feature. You can now jazz up your chats, which is pretty cool for social groups or just to make your conversations more lively. Sending polls within iMessage is especially great for planning hangouts or making quick decisions without explaining too much. Bright or subtle, it’s nice to have options to personalize chats.

Why it helps: Personalization makes chats more engaging; polls are just a nice touch for quick feedback.
When it applies: If you love customizing or often do group plans, this feature is a no-brainer.
What to expect: More ways to make messaging fun, though it may take a bit to find the poll button in the menu.

CarPlay Enhancements

CarPlay got some love with widget support. So now, instead of just icons, you can have widgets for Music, Maps, Wallet right on your screen. It’s a small change, but in the car, quick access is everything, so this feels like a step forward—less fumbling, more doing. Of course, it needs compatible apps, but for those with newer cars, this could actually streamline driving chores.

Why it helps: Quick access to key info without digging through menus.
When it applies: When you’re driving and need to check your navigation or playlist fast.
What to expect: Less distraction and more convenience, once you get the hang of adding widgets.

Introduction of Apple Games

Apple finally dropped its own hub: Apple Games. It’s kinda like a central console for your gaming habits—view all games, check scores, keep track of what you’re playing. Honestly, some might see it as just a kind of launcher, but for the serious gamers, it’s a neat way to organize. Whether it’s worth obsessing over or not depends on how much gaming you do—either way, it’s a fresh addition.

Why it helps: Keeps all your gaming stuff in one place, saving time and frustration.
When it applies: If you’re into mobile games, gives you more control and organization options.
What to expect: A centralized hub that’s easy to access once you get used to it.

Overall Impression and Potential Drawbacks

Basically, iOS 26 feels like a decent upgrade—lots of shiny new features, but also some quirks. The UI overhaul looks fantastic, but the transparency effects could be a pain, especially if your eyes aren’t used to them. Plus, the update size is massive; on some devices, that’s a lot of space and time, especially if storage is tight. Also, some folks report initial installation hiccups or sluggishness after installing, which usually clears up after a reboot or two. But yeah, overall, Apple is pushing more polish, even if it’s not perfect yet.

Because of course, iOS updates aren’t always smooth sailing, but hey—these features are promising, and hope they get refined faster than you can say “beta test.”