iOS 26 was officially introduced by Apple at its annual WWDC 2025 event on June 9. It’s one of the biggest updates in iPhone history. With a stunning Liquid Glass UI, deep Apple Intelligence (AI) integration, and powerful privacy-first features, iOS 26 takes personalization and performance to a whole new level. From smart call screening to real-time translation and emoji. Here’s everything you need to know about iOS 26, including what’s new, which devices support it, and when it launches.
Liquid Glass Design
The newly introduced Liquid Glass interface in iOS 26 is inspired and developed by VisionOS, which gives a visual splendour to everything from app icons, widgets, navigation bar, Control Center, etc. It actively responds to scrolling, touch, and light.
Home and Lock Screen Updates
Dynamic Time Display: The time style on the Lock Screen changes based on the background image.
3D Spatial Effects: 3D dynamic effects with parallax.
Call & Message Navigation
New Call Screening technology was introduced in iOS 26, which asks the caller’s name for unknown calls and shows the message in a transcript. In addition, Hold Assist technology waits on the line for you and notifies you when a real person connects.
In the Messages app:
You can set a personal background for chats.
You can create polls, see typing indicators in groups.
Messages from unverified numbers are filtered.
Experience live translation with Live Translation.
Apple Intelligence – Updated AI
Apple’s AI integration has gotten even more serious with iOS 26:
Live translation in calls, messages, and FaceTime, all on-device.
Circle to Search technology lets you instantly get information by looking at a picture of an object.
Create new emojis or images with Genmoji and Image Playground.
Updated Shortcuts support natural language-based automation.
Other Apps and features
Apple Music includes karaoke, live lyric translation, and AutoMix.
Maps learn your routine and suggest activities.
Apple Games brings your games library, challenges, and Arcade together in a new app.
CarPlay has a liquid glass look and supports gestural input and media playback in parked mode.
AirPods have superior voice memo, calls, and video audio setup.
iOS 26 iPhones and Release Date
iPhone 11 and later models support iOS 26.
However, only iPhones with the A17 or A18 Pro chip can use the full AI features.
Developer Beta available now (June 2025)
Public Beta in July (likely between 14–15)
Public Release: September 2025 with new iPhone
