iOS 16 Features and Changes Exclusive to Newer iPhones

Apple this week released iOS 16 to the public, the latest version of its iOS operating system with major changes and new features, including a customizable Lock Screen, the ability to edit and unsend messages, and more.

ios 16 live text
The biggest iOS 16 features, such as the personalized Lock Screen, will be available on all devices supported by the latest version. Other features of iOS 16, however, require devices with more powerful chips. We've broken down four features below that have specific device requirements on iOS 16 and will not be available on all compatible devices.

Lifting Subjects Out of Images

ios 16 craig image subject isolate
In iOS 16, you can select and isolate subjects from photos in the Photos app by holding down on a photo for a few seconds until you see a white glow appear around the subject. You can then drag the subject out of the ‌‌Photos‌‌ app and into Messages, Mail, Notes, and more.

In Safari, users can hold down on an image to copy the subject but will not be able to drag and paste it into other apps as they can do in the ‌Photos‌ app.

The feature works by using advanced neural networking and image detection to detect the subject in a photo, so it's not available on all the devices that support iOS 16. This feature is only available on devices with the A12 Bionic chip and above, which includes the iPhone XS and later.

All-New Dictation Experience

ios 16 Dictation
Coming with iOS 16 is a redesigned Dictation experience that better leverages on-device machine learning for more accurate voice-to-text and a new design that makes it easier to switch between voice and typing. The new Dictation experience allows users to convert voice into text while instantly switching to typing as the keyboard always remains visible.

Since the new Dictation experience uses on-device machine learning, it is limited to devices with processors that can handle the heavy lifting. The new and improved Dictation experience is only available on iPhones with the A12 Bionic chip and later, which includes the iPhone XS and above.

Live Captions for Videos and Calls

live captions ventura
In iOS 16, users will be able to activate Live Captions for videos and even live FaceTime calls, providing real-time captioning for what's being said. The feature is part of several new accessibility tools coming in iOS 16. Live Captions will work on devices with the A12 Bionic chip and later, which includes the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, the second-generation iPhone SE, and iPhone 14 series devices.

Battery Percentage in the Status Bar

ios 16 beta battery percentage icon
Starting with iOS 16, Apple is finally letting users see their battery percentage directly in their status bar without having to swipe down into Control Center. The new battery percentage toggle was added in an earlier beta of iOS 16 over the summer. If you're excited to try it out, we may have some bad news.

The new battery percentage toggle will not be available on a number of iPhone models, including the iPhone 11, iPhone XR, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 13 mini.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in a Few Months With These 12 New Features

Thursday June 26, 2025 2:00 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are around three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Here's Which Vehicle Brands Will and Won't Offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Friday June 27, 2025 9:52 am PDT by
Apple last month announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. There was news this week about which automakers will and won't offer CarPlay Ultra, and we have provided an updated list below. CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately, if you cannot...
apple watch ultra 2 new black

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Finally Coming After Two-Year Hiatus

Tuesday June 24, 2025 3:40 am PDT by
Apple will finally deliver the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sometime this year, according to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong (via @jukanlosreve). The analyst expects both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to arrive this year (likely alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup, if previous launches are anything to go by), according to his latest product roadmap shared with...

Top Rated Comments

HappyDude20 Avatar
37 months ago
But seriously why is the battery percentage indicator not available on iPhone 11 or XR????

Seriously. Makes no sense.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleTheorist Avatar
37 months ago
They did us dirty with the battery percentage ?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TinyMito Avatar
37 months ago
Oh the typo... :D



Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JM Avatar
37 months ago

Can't you just swipe down from top right to see the percentage?
You can’t say that around here. ?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wackery Avatar
37 months ago

It takes a lot of processing power to determine the proper battery percentage. Apple batteries are very advanced technology and it takes the later A series chips to properly read them.

Apple doesn’t want to give anyone incorrect battery percentages, so they withhold that info to keep an enjoyable experience for all users.

?
It’s so advanced even the newer generation iPhone 13 mini can’t handle it
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kagio Avatar
37 months ago
You said live captions on A12 bionic again, then said iPhone XS not included (which was included in the previous list of A12 bionic devices)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)