Is iOS 16 Really Worth Getting?

An In-depth Look at iOS 16's Features and their Usability

Apple has its own way of drawing eyeballs, and this time it's with the beta release of iOS 16. While the recently launched iOS version is gaining all the attention, reactions are mixed, with some still wondering whether an iOS 16 upgrade is worth getting or not. To address the same, I wanted to share an in-depth analysis of some of the newly introduced features.

Recently, Apple made iOS 16 developer beta available to download, followed by a mid-July beta launch of public release. The final launch is believed to happen this fall, making all the best features of iOS 16 available for people to use. 

Recently in a video, 9to5Mac editor, Miles Somerville shared an in-depth analysis of all the newly introduced features in iOS16. While he shared a long 37-minute-long video covering all the new features, we will prioritize features based on their usability. 

The internet is flooded with mixed reactions to new features and the upgrades introduced; let's explore some of them.

iOS16 introduced some new and much-needed features. While there’s a huge list to share, I would list some of the key features here. Let’s have a look at them

Home App

The Home app gets a complete overhaul with iOS16 and offers easier visibility, organization, control, and navigation of your smart home accessories. The revised home tab lets you keep an eye on and control your smart home easily by allowing you to access favorite accessories and rooms through the app's main tab. In addition, the upgraded version provides you quick access through dedicated categories for climate, light, TVs, speakers, and security, along with elaborated status information.

Usability

The enhancements are primarily around ease of access through various sections of your iPhone. The widgets on the lock screen further add to the experience with redesigned tiles that make accessories visually more recognizable. 

The ease of controlling accessories through the tiles enhances the visual and usability experience. Not just this, but later this year, Apple is introducing a new software update that will introduce Matter. It's a refreshed connectivity standard for smart homes that will allow users to enable seamless connectivity of accessories through connected devices.

Lock Screen

In iOS16, the lock screen is completely redesigned and offers a wide range of customizable typefaces, widgets, animated wallpapers, and multilayered effects for images. The new iOS 16 update allows users to create multiple personalized lock screens depending on Focus modes. In addition, you can easily switch between the lock screen by holding down and swiping.

Usability

The integration might look like a minor tweak, but it undoubtedly enhances usability to a large extent. For example, the multilayered effect brings the subject to the front, improving the overall appearance. In addition, while you have the liberty to change the way date and time look on your iPhone screen, you can also use gallery display suggestions for some inspiration.

Besides these, you can also use Apple Watch-inspired widgets that give you a glance at the weather, calendar events, time zones, battery level, activity ring, and much more. Not just this, once the iOS is released this fall, you may surely expect to have new Widgets created by developers using the WidgetKit API.

Wallet and Apple Pay

iOS16 users can now track Apple Pay orders while getting receipt and order tracking information for participating merchants and Apple purchases in your Wallet app. Also, iOS16 gives extended support to Keys and IDs, allowing users to utilize their Wallet ID for apps requiring age and identity verification. Users can also secure and manage necessary permission in the Wallet app. Another feature added to the list is 'Apple Pay Later. The US users can now split the Apple Pay purchase bills into four installments over six weeks. 

Usability

The Wallet and Apple Pay enhancements will surely get the attention it deserves. The integrations are commendably ensuring user security, privacy, and experience. While, on the one hand, the Keys and IDs function shares only the information required, Apple Pay later allows users to leverage the ease of paying everywhere Apple Pay is accepted in-app or online, using the Mastercard network. 

Health and Fitness

The health app, too, gets a bit of revision by allowing users to create and manage schedules and reminders, medication lists, and track medications, supplements, vitamins, medications, and custom visuals. Not just this, the Fitness app can now be accessed even if the users do not have an Apple Watch. Users can set a daily move goal in the Fitness app and track active calories next to the Move ring. All of this is done using the iPhone's in-built sensors that track steps and activity (including third-party apps) and eventually estimate active calories to daily Move goals. 

Usability

Before talking about it, let me share the key motivational factor with Fitness+ awards. However, it's not clear how many awards are up for grabs. The app upgrade doesn't just inspire people to lead a healthy life but puts ahead everything that's needed for it. In the United States, users can also point their iPhone camera at a label to add the medication and learn about its uses. 

Notes and Reminders

Apple has done moderate updates to Notes and Reminders apps, but they greatly help. With iOS16, Apple has introduced Quick Note. The functionality allows users to create a Quick Note using the control center or share menu in any app. Also, sharing and security have been enhanced. You can encrypt notes using your iPhone's password and share them using a link. The Reminders app now has the option to pin notes easily and have a favorite list for easy accessibility.

Usability

As I mentioned earlier, both the updates could be minor, but they are of great use for those who rely on the two apps. The features don't just prioritize ease of access; they also consider security and privacy. A blend of further personalization has been added by allowing users to create bullets, underline text, strike through, bold, etc. A bunch of other inclusions like notifications and smart folders further ensure a flawless experience for users. 

Apple Messages

This is where a significant upgrade allowed users to edit and unsend a message within 15 minutes of sending it. The duration might increase or decrease in the coming days post the final release of iOS16 this fall. With the iOS16 upgrade, you can also mark your messages as unread in the iMessages app and return to it later. 

Usability

The feature can save you from embarrassing typos and mistakenly sent messages. However, people must use it over misusing the feature. The engagement factor further increases with iOS16 bringing SharePlay to Messages. The function allows users to share synced content through the Messages app. Not just this, developers can additionally use the shared API to integrate this function into third-party apps.

Maps

With iOS16, Apple Maps has introduced a new feature to add upto 15 stops in advance. The feature will allow users to plan their journey and sync routes. Besides these, Apple Maps also got updates linked with transit updates, which will help riders ascertain the estimated journey cost, add transit cards, refill them, etc., all while staying in the applications.

Usability

The feature can help those who prefer planning their trip and want to stay updated with the route accordingly. Besides, it will also help the public to ascertain the cost of their travel—especially those who prefer keeping track to maintain their budget.

Revised Focus Mode

Focus Mode was first introduced in iOS15 and got a critical overhaul with the iOS16 upgrade. Each Focus mode can now be linked with a custom lock screen design. Besides the current ways of activating the lock screen through a control center or automation, users can now switch through Focus Modes by swiping their fingers on the screen. 

Usability

iPhone users loved the Focus Mode feature in iOS15, and with this upgrade, Apple has made it easier for people to access this feature in a personalized manner. They can customize each Focus Mode by configuring the Home/Lock Screen with relevant wallpaper, widgets, and apps.

Other key features in iOS 16 are

• iCloud+
• Game Center
• Spotlight
• Weather
• Music
• Books
• Stocks
• Translate
• Tips
• CarPlay
• App Clips
• Improved Child Account
• Memoji
• TV App
• Keyboard Haptics
• Media Streaming Improvements
• And much more

Before signing off

iOS 16 brought a wide range of new features for users. While with this list, I tried covering most of them, there's still a list of minor upgrades that can be listed. However, suppose we summarize all the features and their usability in a statement. In that case, it can be said that the big boys at Apple always emphasized streamlining and improving the user experience. Just in case you are using the public/developer beta, do share your views or any other feature you think is paramount and I missed.