Apple has completely reinvented the wallpaper experience in iOS 16, introducing gorgeous new options that finally allow iPhone users to customize their devices to match their personal styles. The new wallpaper picker interface launched in iOS 16 makes selecting a wallpaper easier and more visually appealing than ever before.
But it’s the amazing new wallpaper collections that really steal the show. From interactive astronomy images to weather landscapes that reflect real-time conditions, the wallpapers in iOS 16 take customization to the next level. Let’s take a look at what’s new.
Photo Wallpapers Get Smarter with Sorting, Depth Effects, and Shuffling
Setting a personal photo as your iPhone wallpaper has always been a great way to add a unique touch. But Apple has supercharged photo wallpapers in iOS 16, applying AI smarts to make the experience more convenient than ever.
The updated photo picker intelligently sorts your images into categories like People, Nature, and Urban to streamline browsing. iOS 16 also leverages the power of the Neural Engine to automatically add simulated depth effects to non-portrait photos. This visually stunning trick isolates subjects and places them in front of the time on your lock screen.
But the most game-changing addition is Photo Shuffle, which automatically rotates through photos from your library on a schedule. You can set shuffles to change daily, hourly, on device wake, or even manually when tapping the wallpaper. Photo categories like People, Nature, and Urban can be mixed and matched to curate the shuffle to your taste.
Photo Shuffle breathes new life into your photo collection, surprising and delighting you with beautiful blasts from the past. iOS 16 finally delivers the customizable, personal photo wallpaper experience iPhone users have been craving.
New Astronomy Wallpapers Showcase the Solar System and Beyond
Space enthusiasts will love the new astronomy wallpapers available in iOS 16. These stunning images of the Earth, Moon, and Solar System add an educational element while still looking great on your home and lock screens.
The most detailed of the new space wallpapers is Earth, which presents a true-color rendering of our planet as seen from space. The level of detail visible of Earth’s terrain and cloud patterns is remarkable. When set as a wallpaper, the image shifts perspective upon device wake to provide an interactive viewing experience.
Moon takes users even further, providing a crisp high-resolution look at the lunar surface. You can make out craters and flat maria (seas) across the immense detailing. Moon Detail goes closer still, highlighting lunar mountains, valleys, and tiny impact craters.
But the standout of the astronomy collection has to be Solar System. This wallpaper displays a live-updated overhead view of the planets based on their real-time positions. Watch as they slowly orbit the sun right from your home screen!
iOS has included generic outer space-themed wallpapers for years now. But the astronomy collection newly added in iOS 16 showcases our solar system and planet like never before. These mesmerizing images finally do justice to the incredible cosmos.
Weather Wallpaper Visualizes Real-Time Conditions with Animated Landscapes
Want your wallpaper to reflect the actual weather outside your window? The fantastically-named Weather wallpaper has you covered with a real-time animated landscape.
As the name suggests, this brilliant iOS 16 addition displays environments that match your current forecast. Sunny days bring bright blue skies with fluffy clouds. Rainy afternoons transform into darkened downpours. And snowy evenings elicit magical flurries over a frozen landscape.
The Weather wallpaper fluidly transitions between these scenes throughout the day as conditions evolve. Watch gusts of wind whip leaves and grass with an incoming storm, then see raindrops streak across your screen. It’s an ingenious concept perfectly executed.
iOS has offered generic landscapes as wallpapers for years. But the Weather wallpaper’s real-time tie-in with actual forecast data finally brings this idea to life. iPhone users can now enjoy wallpapers that reflect the real world around them in a fun, customizable way.
Bold New Color Options Join Vintage Favorites
Apple has dramatically expanded the color wallpaper selection in iOS 16. Vibrant new gradient options join classics like Stripes to provide a rainbow of choices.
Modern selections like Vapor, Tone, and Vibrant offer rich, saturated hues perfect for any custom color scheme. The color picker also enables effortless tweaking with various effect styles and backgrounds.
iOS stalwarts like Stripes return with a new depth effect putting the classic bands below the time. And bubbles, bokeh, and jellyfish from iOS 7 also reappear for a vibrant, playful effect.
But the most meaningful new addition is clearly the Unity wallpaper. Available in over a dozen skin tone options, it sends a simple but powerful message of inclusiveness and togetherness.
The expanded color collection provides fun new options for self-expression. Both new gradients and classic designs now feature depth effects adding liveliness. Pick a favorite hue or make a statement with the new Unity wallpaper.
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Pride Wallpaper Animate the Colors of the Rainbow
Apple added a Pride wallpaper to iOS a few years ago in support of LGBTQ+ communities. But the redesigned version in iOS 16 takes expressions of pride to dazzling new heights.
The new Pride wallpaper animates rainbow colored stripes across the lock screen with every wake or tap. You can control the speed, background, and stripe thickness. It’s eye-catching and brimming with personality.
Pride-themed wallpapers are more than just colors, they’re statements of support for inclusion and human rights. Apple delivered a beautifully redesigned Pride wallpaper in iOS 16 that will brighten any user’s home screen. Its new interactivity creates energy and excitement.
Ultimate Personalization with iOS 16
iOS 16 finally delivers the customizable wallpaper experience iPhone users have dreamed of for years. Apple leveraged new technologies like AI, real-time data, and Depth Effects to create stunning options that make your iPhone feel unique.
From collections of space imagery to weather that reflects your actual forecast, the wallpapers in iOS 16 showcase levels of polish and personal expression never before seen. And redesigned classics like Stripes and Pride give old favorites new life.
Experience ultimate personalization like never before. Update to iOS 16 and make your iPhone your own with amazing new wallpapers.
Check out Apple’s official iOS 16 webpage to learn more and get access to the iOS 16 public beta.