The most important new features: iOS 26 arrives on Monday

Apple will release the update to iOS 26 on September 15. With "Liquid Glass," it gives older iPhones a fresh look and also brings some other interesting new features.

Next Monday, Apple will release iOS 26, which will be a special update. Apple is giving the operating system's user interface a completely new look for the first time since 2013. The other changes are less revolutionary, but still noteworthy.

Apple is standardizing its operating systems, which is evident not only in the shared version number 26. The user interfaces are also getting a new, shared design called "Liquid Glass." Among other things, Apple aims to emphasize content, primarily through transparent elements that appear to float above other content. Controls, navigation, app icons, widgets, etc., appear much more vibrant than before.

This starts on the lock screen, where the time seamlessly adjusts to the available space on the screen. Wallpapers also have a 3D effect when you move the iPhone around. New app icons offer a choice between light and dark designs, transparent and colored elements.

A transparent address bar in the Safari browser allows websites to fill the entire screen under iOS 26. The Camera app is more clearly laid out; among other things, the shutter button now "floats" above the preview instead of being surrounded by a black bar. Another example of "Liquid Glass" is the Photos app, which, in addition to the transparent look, has separate tabs for the library and collections.

More Apple Intelligence

Although Apple had to postpone plans to make Siri an AI assistant as powerful as Google Gemini, probably until next year, iOS 26 still brings some exciting new or improved features with Apple Intelligence.

First and foremost are live translations for text and audio, available in messages, FaceTime, and phone calls. Initially, only English, Spanish, German, French, and Portuguese are supported for voice, with more text options available.

Visual Intelligence offers, among other things, the new ability to ask ChatGPT questions about what's on the screen. Additionally, you can search Google, Etsy, or other supported apps to find similar images and products. In English, there's also the option to add events displayed on posters, including the location, date, and venue, to the calendar.

There are also advanced AI options for embellishing conversations with Genmojis or images created by Image Playground. Shortcuts can also help with this, as they are able to integrate Apple Intelligence features under iOS 26.

Anyone who wants can now have the AI ​​automatically identify and summarize shipment tracking details from emails from retailers and suppliers.

New possibilities for calls and messages

The phone app is getting a unified layout that brings together favorites, the call log, and voicemails in one place. It can now also automatically answer calls from unknown numbers and collect information. Based on these details, you can then decide whether to accept or decline. The Hold Assistant is also practical: If you're on hold for a call, it takes over and signals as soon as a human is on the other end of the line.

The Messages app now also offers the option to filter out messages from unknown people. They appear in a special folder, where you can then mark the number as known, request more information, or delete it. The messages remain muted until you accept the number.

Some are excited, others are already annoyed: You can create polls in Messages on iOS 26. If you can't think of one yourself, Apple Intelligence will suggest it when the opportunity arises. Anyone who wants to can add custom backgrounds created in Image Playground to conversations. In group chats, you can now see a typing indicator and request, send, and receive Apple Cash.

In the car, iOS 26 brings new features to CarPlay. A compact view for incoming calls lets you see who's calling without missing important information like directions. Emojis and other symbols (Tapbacks) now let you quickly respond to messages. The update also brings pinned conversations, widgets, and compact information on sports scores, delivery status, schedules, and more in real time (Live Activities).

What else?

"With Lyrics Pronunciation, everyone can sing along, no matter what language they speak," Apple writes. This can get pretty fun and chaotic, as it refers to real-time translations of song lyrics in Apple Music.

Wallet now offers the option to display airline information about gates, delays, etc. as live activity on boarding passes. You can also now access airport maps.

Apple Games is a new app that brings together games from the App Store and Apple Arcade, including events and updates.

The AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 (ANC) will offer studio-quality audio recording. The earbuds can also be used as a remote control for the camera under iOS 26.

The update gives parents additional parental control options. These include permission for contact requests, blurring sensitive content in FaceTime calls, and blurring photos in shared albums. Parents can also allow their children to download an app with an age restriction for content they have restricted.

The Safari browser is receiving improved protection against fingerprinting, a technology that allows users to be uniquely identified and tracked online based on specific device or browser data.

Accessibility features now include a new interface for so-called Braille displays. These e-reader-like devices convert content into tactile text (Braille) for blind and visually impaired people. Users can easily take Braille notes or perform calculations on their iPhone, among other things.