Apple is enhancing its creative tools with the latest software update, iOS 26, introducing a cool new feature in the Image Playground. This feature now supports image styles powered by ChatGPT, offering popular options like anime, oil painting, watercolor, vector, and print. These styles are similar to those in ChatGPT 4o and complement Apple’s existing Animation, Illustration, and Sketch styles. While no new styles were added by Apple, there’s a new flexible option: ‘Any Style.’ This lets you describe the image you want, much like how ChatGPT works, allowing users to either create images from text or upload photos to be transformed into a different style. To access the ChatGPT-powered styles, users must grant permission to send images to ChatGPT’s servers.
AI-generated images have become a viral trend on social media.
People are turning their selfies into Studio Ghibli characters, Funko Pop figures, and even Muppet-style versions of themselves. These personalized images are shared in comment threads and group chats, with more people jumping in to create their own versions.
However, there’s a downside to using ChatGPT’s image generation. It takes longer than Apple’s built-in, on-device styles. Also, while Apple enforces stricter content rules, ChatGPT is more relaxed, allowing images with copyrighted characters or even violent themes. But don’t worry-Apple provides a warning before sending images to ChatGPT, and the images are clearly labeled as coming from the ChatGPT service.
There are limits to using ChatGPT’s image generation based on your account type. Free users can generate only one or two images before reaching a cap, while a paid subscription unlocks more frequent access. On the other hand, Apple’s on-device styles are unlimited and don’t require an internet connection.
Alongside the new ChatGPT features, iOS 26 also improves Genmoji, Apple’s tool for creating custom emojis by combining existing ones or using text prompts. Users can save their creations to the emoji keyboard for use in Messages. Genmoji was first introduced with the iPhone 16, but the early versions weren’t as flexible as expected. With this update, Apple has improved the tool, making it more reliable and versatile.
Apple’s approach to AI-powered customization is more cautious compared to competitors like Google and Samsung. Google’s Gemini is integrated into Android, allowing for similar image and emoji creation, while Samsung’s Galaxy AI offers similar functionality. However, the big advantage for iPhone users is accessibility. These new tools are now baked directly into iOS 26, so there’s no need to download third-party apps or use external services, making it super easy to experiment with image generation features right on your iPhone.
iOS 26 is available for developers now, with a public beta coming in July, and the full release expected in September alongside new iPhone models. For those who are already using ChatGPT, the addition of these styles to Image Playground provides even more ways to unleash creativity on your iPhone.