India, Dec. 23 -- Apple's iOS 26.3 doesn't scream for attention. It won't wow you with flashy features or reinvent how your iPhone looks or works. But dig a little deeper, and it becomes clear that this is the most disruptive "minor" update in recent memory.

Unlike the fireworks of full-number upgrades, Apple's "x.3" releases usually fly under the radar. And on the surface, 26.3 seems to follow that playbook: a few new wallpapers, a niche EU feature, and a mysterious transfer option.

However, beneath the minimalism lies a shift in Apple's ecosystem philosophy. This change opens the door to competition, collaboration, and maybe even contradiction.

iOS 26.3 is expected to arrive in late January. If Apple sticks to tradition, it will like...