Apple released iOS 26.3 Beta 2 on January 12, 2026, addressing performance issues, fixing bugs, and reducing battery drain. This new build focuses entirely on performance tuning and bug fixes, and offers no new features. After installing the Public Beta update, the improvements are noticeable in day-to-day use. Below is what you can expect from the update on your device.
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iOS 26.3 performance and thermals see improvements
Downloading iOS 26.3 Beta 2 requires you to enroll in the public beta channel (Image via Apple)
After extensive testing on our iPhone 13, it’s smoother to use, with faster animations than in Beta 1. Furthermore, the device runs much cooler, even under heavy multitasking. Playing games, editing and recording videos, and taking video calls do not lead to overheating as seen in Beta 1.
Screen recording performance has also improved quite significantly. Frame drops and bitrate inconsistencies are resolved. The screen recording footage seems to have more contrast. While this may be due to codec-level tuning, it’s easy to deem this a placebo. The micro-stuttering while switching between apps is also gone, likely due to better thermals enabling higher sustained performance.
Speaking of which, we didn’t notice any frame drops or artifacts in our recordings, further suggesting that Apple has indeed regained its optimization crown. Additionally, doing daily tasks, such as sharing the screen on Discord on mobile, also seems far better now, though your streaming mileage may vary depending on your network carrier.
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iOS 26.3 Beta 2 battery life and remaining issues
Although the battery life seems to have improved, there is room for improvement. The improved thermal behaviour likely contributes to better battery health, along with the device running cooler.
That said, it is still a beta release, hence you might experience app crashes and occasional keyboard lag. On the bright side, compared to Beta 1, Beta 2 is much more stable to use.
Overall, this update is minor but much needed, and the full release is likely to deliver an even better user experience.
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Edited by Sijo Samuel Paul