Apple has revealed iOS 26, the most significant visual update to iPhone software since 2013. The new system introduces “Liquid Glass,” a translucent design that will change how iPhones look and feel when it launches this fall.
“This is our broadest software design update ever,” said Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design. “Liquid Glass combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity only Apple can achieve.”
The most noticeable change is the glassy, translucent appearance that extends across the entire interface. This new look isn’t just for show – it actually changes how controls behave. The time on your lock screen will shrink or stretch to fit around your photo’s subject. App controls will minimize as you scroll to keep focus on content.
Beyond the new look, iOS 26 brings practical improvements to everyday apps:
Phone App: The redesigned Phone app shows favorites, recent calls, and voicemails on a single screen. Two new features aim to reduce phone frustrations: Call Screening automatically answers unknown callers and asks their purpose before notifying you, while Hold Assist monitors hold music and alerts you when a human picks up.
Messages: Group chats get more useful with built-in polls for making decisions together. You can also set custom backgrounds for different conversations and enjoy better spam filtering.
Translation: Live translation works in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls, allowing real-time conversations with people who speak different languages.
Camera and Photos: The Camera app has been simplified with fewer on-screen controls, showing just basic options until you swipe to access more settings. The Photos app regains a clearer navigation system with distinct tabs for Library and Collections.
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Visual Intelligence: This feature now works on anything on your screen. Screenshot an item you like, and Visual Intelligence can search for similar products online. It can also extract information from images, like creating calendar events from concert posters.
Safari: The browser now extends webpage content to the edges of the screen, with the address bar shrinking as you scroll to maximize viewing space.
Other notable additions include the Games app (a dedicated hub for iPhone gaming), improved Maps features that remember places you’ve visited, and Wallet improvements that support installment payments and better package tracking.
For developers, new APIs make it easier to adopt the Liquid Glass design in their apps.
iOS 26 will run on iPhone 11 and newer models, including the second-generation iPhone SE. The public release is expected in September or October, likely coinciding with the iPhone 17 launch. Developers can access the beta version immediately, with a public beta coming in July.
This major redesign arrives as Apple continues its measured approach to AI features. While competitors have made splashy AI announcements, Apple has integrated its “Apple Intelligence” more subtly throughout the system.
The naming change to “iOS 26” (rather than iOS 19) aligns with Apple’s new unified approach to all its systems, including macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26, creating greater consistency across the company’s product ecosystem.
