Apple revolutionizes its software with iOS 26 and the 'Liquid Glass' design.
Apple has grown weary of subtle changes. With the arrival of iOS 26, the iPhone doesn't just gain new features: it's completely changed its look . The new operating system, unveiled during WWDC 2025 , aims to mark a turning point in the design of its devices and how we use its apps.
But the new iPhone doesn't come alone. This complete redesign also comes to the iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV .
The biggest visual change in over 10 yearsThe main new feature in iOS 26 is the introduction of Liquid Glass , a new design language that abandons the flat style that has characterized iOS since 2013 to give way to a more fluid, brighter interface with depth effects.
The name says it all: the new look adds glass-like elements, even on the lock screen . Swiping up reveals a glass border, and elements throughout the operating system also have this effect.
Inspired by visionOS , the operating system for Apple's Vision Pro devices , Liquid Glass visually unifies all of the brand's devices and marks a significant aesthetic shift in its design strategy. This style is present throughout the experience, from buttons to toolbars to text.
Another example: the menu bar is now completely transparent in macOS Tahoe 26 , the new operating system for Macs.
This new look affects not only icons or menus, but also the behavior of animations, notifications, and general interaction with the system.
Likewise, apps like Camera, Photos, Safari, and Apple Music have also been redesigned with a cleaner, more adaptable interface.
Another notable change is the change in the naming of operating systems. Apple has opted to align the version number with the year following its release . For this reason, instead of iOS 18, the new system is called iOS 26, as are the other updated platforms.
Apple has enhanced its AI system with privacy-focused features. Now, Apple Intelligence is built directly into the device to offer:
- Real-time translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone.
- On-screen visual intelligence , capable of suggesting actions, adding events to the calendar, or searching for similar products from images: “Users can ask ChatGPT questions about what they see on the screen to learn more, and search Google, Etsy, and other supported apps to find similar images and products,” Apple explains. Visual intelligence also identifies when a user is looking at an event and suggests adding it to the calendar, filling in key details like the date, time, and location.
- Smart, context-based shortcuts and new tools like Genmoji and Image Playground help you express yourself visually.
- Automatic email summaries with order tracking, even for purchases not made with Apple Pay.
“Additionally, the new Foundation Models framework gives any app access to the on-device foundational model that powers Apple Intelligence, giving developers direct access to powerful, fast, privacy-focused, and offline intelligence through AI inference at no cost,” Apple added.
The Phone app introduces a unified design and new features like Hold Assist , which notifies you when an agent becomes available on a service call you've been put on hold for, and Call Screening , which automatically answers calls from unknown numbers, providing insight into the caller so you can decide whether to answer or ignore .
In Messages, users will be able to better manage unknown contacts, group them into folders , and receive only relevant notifications.
Also included are custom backgrounds, in-chat polls, and context-sensitive action suggestions using Apple Intelligence.
What's new in CarPlay, Music, and WalletCarPlay is updated with a more functional design, a new display of incoming calls, pinned messages, quick replies, and on-screen widgets. Plus, CarPlay Ultra is available, further integrating the system with the car on compatible models.
Apple Music has added features like lyric translation and AutoMix, which adjusts the mix of songs to suit DJs. This feature has already been rolled out on Spotify .
In Wallet , users will be able to pay in installments or with points, access real-time flight information, and use location features at airports.
New Apple Games app, improvements to privacy, accessibility, and parental controlsiOS 26 includes the new Apple Games app, which centralizes all your downloaded games, recent games, achievements, and new features from services like Apple Arcade, making it easier to discover and track titles.
Safari introduces advanced tracking protection, and in accessibility, the Accessibility Reader, the Braille Access interface, and improvements to audio and voice support features are added.
Parents can also more easily set up child accounts , control app downloads, and protect their children with filters on FaceTime , shared albums, and the App Store.
AvailabilityiOS 26 is now available for developers. The public beta will launch in July, and the final version will be available in the fall for iPhone 11 and later models .
Some Apple Intelligence features will be limited to recent models like iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, and devices with the M1 chip or later, and only in supported languages.
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