While Apple preps for the first iOS 26 public beta, they are working on another update in tandem. iOS 18.6 will be out before iOS 26, but it won't contain many (if any) new features.

FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature: A newer addition to iOS 26 appears to be the FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The feature appears to be a child safety feature that uses on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privacy issues.

Phone owners have had to wait longer than ever for the first iOS 26 public beta, but it should result in a cleaner, more stable release.