A Fresh Look for the Future

Apple has officially introduced iOS 26, and it’s a bold new chapter for the iPhone. Announced at WWDC 2025, the update doesn’t just tweak the interface—it completely reimagines it. With the “Liquid Glass” design and powerful built-in AI called Apple Intelligence, your iPhone is now more helpful, responsive, and beautiful than ever.

Why iOS 26 instead of iOS 18? Apple has shifted to a year-based naming system, marking a fresh start—and this update lives up to that promise.

What is "Liquid Glass"?

The star of the show is Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language. Imagine your screen with layers that shimmer and move like real glass—icons that feel alive, menus that gently float, and panels that react to your touch. Everything feels more fluid, more dynamic, and more personal.

Menus now appear as soft, rounded shapes rather than harsh drop-downs. App icons have been subtly redesigned to blend into this translucent world while still feeling familiar. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about making your phone easier to navigate and more delightful to use.

Smarter iPhone with Apple Intelligence

Apple isn’t stopping at pretty visuals. With Apple Intelligence, iOS 26 is packed with thoughtful features that actually anticipate your needs.

You can now:

• Take a screenshot of something online and let your phone find where to buy it.
• Tap on an event in an email and your calendar fills in the details for you.
• See live typing indicators in group chats.
• Create instant polls when making plans with friends.
• Let your iPhone screen unknown calls and show real-time transcripts.
• Automatically get notified when a support call leaves hold and a human answers.

And for global users, one of the most game-changing additions: Live Translation. Whether you’re texting or FaceTiming, iOS 26 can translate text and voice instantly—perfect for multilingual conversations.

Highlights:

• Liquid Glass gives iPhones a breathtaking, dynamic new look.
• Apple Intelligence makes your phone smarter than ever—context-aware and proactive.
• Live Translation breaks language barriers in real-time across apps.
• New communication tools like group chat polls, typing indicators, and AI-generated backgrounds.
• Call Screening + Hold Assist turns phone calls into less of a hassle.
• Camera and battery tools help users capture better shots and save power with ease.

Not for Every iPhone—Yet

While iOS 26 is compatible with iPhone 11 and newer, some AI features will only run on more recent models like the iPhone 15 Pro and upcoming iPhone 16 series. These devices have the advanced chips and neural engines needed to fully unlock Apple Intelligence.

Coming Soon

The public beta of iOS 26 drops in July 2025, and the final version will arrive alongside the iPhone 17 launch in September 2025. Developers are already working to bring new AI-powered features to their apps, so expect more innovations in the months ahead.

iOS 26 at a Glance