iOS 19 is here, oops, iOS 26 is here, and it has an all new ‘Liquid Glass‘ design, then some. It builds on the Apple Intelligence, making use of the model’s understanding of its natural language. Then, the core iPhone apps, like Phone, Messaging, and others, are too changing, not just visually but also functionally. Apple announced all this at WWDC 2025, and it’s a bigger refresh than the ones we have got in the past few years.First up, what’s with the name? Well, Apple has made some changes to its numbering scheme. Instead of the expected iOS 19, we’re jumping to iOS 26. Apple says it is to keep things simple.
The Liquid Glass look makes everything feel more alive
So what’s this Liquid Glass thing about?Think translucent materials that actually react to what’s around them , reflecting and refracting light in ways that make your iPhone feel more dynamic. It’s not just about looking pretty, though it does that too. Your app icons, widgets, and typography, they all get this new reflective, refractive treatment that supposedly makes them more “expressive.”The Lock Screen time now stretches and adapts to fit around your wallpaper images, and those spatial wallpapers actually move with a 3D effect when you tilt your phone. Plus, the time display gets artistic, fluidly wrapping around elements in your photos instead of just sitting there like a boring rectangle.Safari gets the edge-to-edge treatment, letting web pages flow from top to bottom while keeping the important stuff like refresh and search easily accessible. Even the tab bars in Apple Music and Podcasts float and shrink when you’re browsing, then expand back up when needed.
Apple Intelligence gets some new tricks up its sleeve
The AI stuff is where things get interesting, though. Live Translation is probably the standout feature here, it works right inside Messages, FaceTime, and regular phone calls, translating everything in real-time. No internet required, it’s all happening on your device. You could literally have a conversation with someone in Spanish while you’re speaking English, and both of you would understand each other perfectly.Then there’s Visual Intelligence, which lets you take screenshots of literally anything on your screen and ask questions about it. See a jacket in an Instagram post? Screenshot it, and iOS 26 can help you find where to buy it through Google or Etsy. Spot an event flyer? It’ll offer to add those details straight to your calendar. It’s like having a really smart assistant that can actually see what you’re looking at.
Your phone app just got way better at blocking annoying calls
The Phone app is getting some much-needed love with Call Screening. Instead of you having to deal with unknown callers, your iPhone can answer first, figure out who’s calling and why, then give you the details so you can decide if it’s worth your time. There’s also Hold Assist, which basically babysits you while you’re stuck on hold and alerts you when an actual human gets on the line.Messages isn’t being left out either. Unknown senders get filtered into their own folder, so your main conversation list stays clean. You can create polls now (and Apple Intelligence will suggest when that might be useful), plus generate custom backgrounds for your chats using Image Playground. Group chats finally get typing indicators too, which feels long overdue.
Every other app gets some love too
Other apps get their moment too. There’s also a bunch of smaller touches that add up – the Camera app gets a cleaner, more streamlined layout that hides controls so you can focus on what you’re shooting. The Photos app splits into separate Library and Collections tabs for easier navigation. Apple Music learns lyrics translation and pronunciation, plus an AutoMix feature that transitions between songs like a DJ would. Maps remembers where you’ve been and learns your preferred routes, even sending notifications about delays on your usual commute. Wallet gets smarter boarding passes that link to airport maps and Find My for tracking luggage, plus the ability to choose instalment payments right at checkout with Apple Pay. Safari beefs up privacy with better fingerprinting protection, while parents get easier Child Account setup with enhanced safety features. And accessibility gets a boost with new features like Accessibility Reader for customized reading experiences and Braille Access for connected braille displays.The new Apple Games app brings together all your gaming stuff in one place, making it easier to jump back into games and see what friends are playing.iOS 26 drops this fall, free for iPhone 11 and up, with Apple Intelligence needing the usual newer hardware.
