Apple officially released iOS 26, which is hailed by many as the biggest update to iPhone since iOS 7 ten years ago. With a dramatic visual transformation, powerful AI-enabled features, and more intelligent ways to connect, iOS 26 will shape the next generation of Apple’s mobile operating system.
Released during WWDC on June 9, 2025, iOS 26 started rolling out as a developer beta soon after, with the public beta being available from late July. The public release is scheduled for mid-September, coinciding with the iPhone 17 range release.
Let’s learn more about this iOS 26 release and what innovative features it comes with to retain its customers and compete with rival smartphone companies.
A Stunning New Look: Liquid Glass Redesign
The initial change users will observe is the “Liquid Glass” redesign, which changes the look of the entire iOS interface to a clean, new, modern aesthetic. App icons have been reimagined with glass-like, transparent effects that bend towards light and colour behind them. Animations system-wide are smoother, and both the Lock and Home screens boast better customisation options. Lock screens also bring a new 3D effect that creates depth using your photos, adding a dynamic layer that changes as you angle your device.
This remake also crosses over to system apps, bringing consistency between Photos, Camera, Safari, and others. It’s not merely cosmetic—Apple wants iOS to be more intuitive without adding unnecessary complexity.
Privacy-First Intelligence: Apple AI Takes Centre Stage
iOS 26’s main innovation is the deeper integration of “Apple Intelligence,” Apple’s in-house on-device AI system. Leveraging the powerful neural engines in more recent iPhones (iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, and beyond), AI is now integrated throughout normal apps and services.
Some key AI-enabled features are:
- Live Translation within Messages, Phone, and FaceTime, which can translate speech or text in real time, even providing translated captions and audio during a call.
- Intelligent Reminders that comprehend your emails, messages, and context—proposing tasks, shopping items, and follow-ups automatically.
- Shortcuts powered by AI allow one-tap automations such as creating image reports, summarising texts, or fetching personalised data based on current device activity.
Third-party assistance is increasing as well: users can call upon ChatGPT for extended assistance and create personalised emojis (“Genmoji”) via the new Image Playground app.
Messages and Phone: Smarter and Safer Connections
Apple has overhauled its Messages and Phone applications to simplify staying connected and to be safer.
- Unified Phone App: The new design rolls favourites, recent calls, and voicemails all together in one location. “Call Screening” uses AI to sift spam or unknown calls, and “Hold Assist” lets you know when an actual agent is on the other end, saving you time waiting.
- Message Screening: Messages from unknown senders are sent to a special folder, so spam no longer gets in the way of important conversations. Users can then decide to accept, ask for more information, or simply discard the message.
- New Group Features: Type indicators, polls, personalised conversation backgrounds, and the option to send or receive Apple Cash within a group conversation are all supported by group chats.
New and Expanded Apps: Entertainment, Organisation, and More
iOS 26 brings new applications and refines current offerings, integrating everyday life even more into the Apple environment.
- Apple Games: One place to be for your gaming life, with users able to find, organise, and compete with friends from one app.
- Apple Music: Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation functionality eliminates language boundaries in music, with AutoMix, the new tool, providing smooth song transitions utilising time stretching and beat matching.
- Apple Maps: “Places Been” lets you follow where you’ve been, with more intelligent on-device understanding providing proposed routes and showing delays in real time.
- Photos: Better UI with new tabs, simpler navigation, and a “Library” vs. “Collections” difference. Users may convert favourite photos into spatial scenes to get 3D effects.
CarPlay, AirPods, and Accessibility Updates
iOS 26 sees Apple put investment into the wider ecosystem, too.
- CarPlay is treated to Liquid Glass design and enhanced widgets. Small popups for calls avoid obstructing directions while navigating, whereas Live Activities and pinning of messages enhance in-car communication.
- AirPods Integration: AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 2 users can achieve studio-quality audio recordings, clearer calls, and the ability to take a photo or initiate video recording with a simple touch of the stem.
- Accessibility: Major improvements include new Braille features, more Vehicle Motion Cues to reduce motion sickness, and extremely customizable reading modes. Parents also have more control with improved child safety and communication features.
Device Support and Rollout Timeline
With the hop to iOS 26, Apple is discontinuing support for certain older models, particularly the iPhone XR and XS. Compatibility is supported on iPhone 11 and later, including all iPhone SE (2nd generation and 3rd generation) devices. Yet, only iPhone 15 Pro/16 and later will be able to access the complete range of AI-driven Apple Intelligence features owing to processor demands.
- Developer Beta: Released June 9, 2025
- Public Beta: Released from July 24, 2025, through the Apple Beta Software Program
- General Release: Anticipated mid-September 2025, alongside the iPhone 17 release
Also Read: Is Apple Losing the Innovation Edge?
What to Expect and How to Prepare
For those eager to try iOS 26 early, the public beta can be downloaded by enrolling on Apple’s beta site. Beta software may contain bugs and instability, so it’s smart to back up your device first. General availability will bring widespread adoption as Apple pushes the update to millions of iPhones worldwide.
Conclusion: A Vision for the Future
The launch of iOS 26 marks a new era for iPhone users. iPhone users now have easier access to myriad services because of Apple’s new -and first in the nation- AI-driven features. Apple is investing in mobile technology innovatively. iOS 26 is set to enhance user experience and utility in different aspects. The interface redesign and the new features would benefit users in intelligently automating functions and processes. Advanced automations and heightened features boost utility and ease.
