iOS 26: New Phone App Design, Call Screening, and AI Features

Apple's Phone app in iOS 26 is getting a major overhaul, with a new design and features like call screening for unknown numbers, Hold Assist to save you from long waits, and Apple Intelligence for live translation and voicemail transcripts. The new layout, called "Unified," is optional and reversible, and users can choose between the new design and the classic view. The app will also feature a new "Calls" tab, which serves as a hub for Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail.

Apple has announced significant updates to its Phone app in iOS 26, set to release later this fall. The new design, dubbed "Unified," aims to streamline the user experience and introduce several innovative features.

New Design and Layout
The Phone app in iOS 26 will feature a new layout called "Unified," which is optional and can be reversed to revert to the classic view. This design aims to simplify the user interface, making it more intuitive and accessible [1].

Call Screening for Unknown Numbers
One of the standout features of iOS 26 is the introduction of call screening for unknown numbers. This feature, enabled through the "Ask Reason for Calling" option, allows users to receive a transcript of the caller's reason for calling, helping to filter out spam calls [3].

Hold Assist
To address the issue of long wait times, Apple has introduced Hold Assist in iOS 26. This feature will automatically hold calls for users who are in a meeting or unable to answer, ensuring that they do not miss important calls [2].

Apple Intelligence for Live Translation and Voicemail Transcripts
iOS 26 will also include Apple Intelligence, a feature that offers live translation during calls and generates transcripts of voicemail messages. This enhances the communication experience, especially for users who speak multiple languages [3].

New "Calls" Tab
The Phone app in iOS 26 will feature a new "Calls" tab, serving as a hub for Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail. This centralization aims to improve the organization and accessibility of call-related functions [1].

Impact on Users and Market
These updates to the Phone app in iOS 26 are expected to enhance user satisfaction and retention, as the app becomes more efficient and user-friendly. For investors, this could translate into increased market share and customer loyalty, potentially driving revenue growth.

Conclusion
Apple's overhaul of the Phone app in iOS 26 represents a significant step forward in user experience and functionality. With features like call screening, Hold Assist, and Apple Intelligence, the new app promises to be more intuitive and effective than its predecessors. As iOS 26 nears its official release, investors and financial professionals should closely monitor Apple's performance to gauge the impact of these updates on the company's market position.

References:
[1] https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/18/everything-new-in-ios-26-beta-7/
[2] https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1337016-apple-releases-ios-26-beta-6-with-speed-boosts-new-ringtones-ui-refinements
[3] https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/how-to-block-spam-calls-and-turn-on-call-screening-in-the-ios-26-beta/