Apple Releases iOS 16.2 - What's New?
Apple released iOS 16.2 beta 4 for developers a while ago. Several important new features, apps and optimizations are coming with iOS 16.2 which will be one of the most important updates of iOS 16 when it becomes publicly available for all.
Apart from the addition of new features, there is also one noticeable upgrade compared to iOS 16.1 versions; battery life. Battery life during the first beta versions has been much better for my iPhone 14 Pro Max. Most probably, the public release of iOS 16.2. will be on par if not better than the beta versions of iOS 16.2.
Apple also seeded the fourth betas of iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2 and macOS Ventura 13.1 for developers as well.
Major New Features
Two major changes are probably the ones anticipated more by iPhone users across the world.
The first one is the brand new Always On Display (AOD) settings menu on the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple has been offering an alternative appearance for the iPhone 14 Pro AOD which resembles the implementation that we saw in the past with Windows Mobile phones and more recently with Android devices of course. More specifically, Apple is now allowing users to set an all black AOD. This has been a highly anticipated feature for many iOS users who were disappointed with Apple’s pre-iOS 16.2 implementation. You can read more about the new Always On display here.
New Always On Display & Menu
The second major change may not seem quite significant. However, 5G support for Indian carriers is really important for one of the largest smartphone markets. Local carriers activated their own 5G networks back in October ‘22. Hence, iPhone users have been expecting Apple to enable 5G support for their devices (if supported of course). iOS 16.2 Beta 2 unlocked 5G capabilities in India for the first time. iPhone beta testers who live in India are able to enable 5G cellular connectivity directly from their iPhone’s settings. Access for all users is expected to become available mid-December when iOS 16.2 gets publicly released for all supported iPhones.
AOD on iOS 16.2 vs iOS 16.1
Other Important New iOS 16.2 Features
Apple added a new Lock Screen Health Widget in the second beta of iOS 16.2. The new widget is available for your Lock Screen and allows you to view your Medications at a glance. This widget is available in both Lock Screen size options.
Apple also added a new Sleep Widget for your iPhone’s Lock Screen. This feature is even more useful if you own an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max with an always on display.
Sleep & Health Lock Screen Widgets
Freeform is a new brainstorming application available mainly for the iPad but also the iPhone. Users are able to keep notes, draw and design basic shapes and diagrams through this app. It’s also easy to collaborate with other iPhone and iPad users. Freeform app is automatically installed when updating to iOS 16.2. iPad version works with the Apple Pencil which is an important benefit.
Home application has also been updated to support a new architecture for easier and more reliable performance. The app asks from users to update to the new architecture when launching the app for the first time since updating to iOS 16.2 from an earlier iOS 16 version.
Weather cards in Apple’s native weather application are now showing important information from Apple News related to the selected location if supported.
TV application is now enabling a new Live Activity setting that allows users to activate more frequent updates while a Live Activity is running. Furthermore, when launching the TV app a new featured show/movie section replaces the up next section which has moved below that on iOS 16.2. TV app is also adding back the ability to Show Sports Scores in the Dynamic Island and the Lock Screen as live activities.
Wallpaper
You can download the wallpaper that was used on the always on display comparison image by clicking here:
