Apple’s decision to skip from iOS 18 to iOS 26 marks a bold rebranding strategy, aligning its operating system names with the calendar year. Unveiled at WWDC 2025, iOS 26 introduces the Liquid Glass design, advanced AI features, and unannounced tools like AirPods live translation, aiming to streamline user experience and unify its ecosystem.
Apple’s iOS 26: Decoding the Naming Shift and New Features
In a surprising move at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, Apple announced that its next iPhone operating system would leap from iOS 18 to iOS 26, bypassing several iterative versions. This decision, first reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, reflects Apple’s new year-based naming strategy, aligning iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS with the calendar year 2026. The shift aims to create a consistent and intuitive naming structure across Apple’s ecosystem, making it easier for users and developers to track updates.
The iOS 26 update, set to release in mid-September 2025 alongside new iPhone models, introduces a visually striking “Liquid Glass” design language. This redesign features translucent interface layers, dynamic animations, and shimmering effects, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of core UI elements. Users can also enable a “Clear Look” mode, making Home Screen icons and widgets transparent for a more immersive experience. The update is compatible with iPhone 11 and newer models, though advanced Apple Intelligence features require iPhone 15 Pro or higher.
Beyond aesthetics, iOS 26 brings significant functional upgrades. The Home Screen now supports fully interactive widgets, allowing users to mark tasks, control smart home devices, or manage music playback directly from the interface. Customizable app grids, smart folders, and dynamic themes further enhance personalization, letting users match colors to their wallpaper or apply unified icon packs. Apple Wallet introduces real-time flight updates via Live Activities and installment payment options for Apple Pay, while the Messages app gains conversation backgrounds, group typing indicators, polls, and live translation capabilities.
Apple’s cautious approach to feature announcements this year stems from lessons learned at WWDC 2024, where several promised features, including AI-powered Siri upgrades, faced delays. To avoid similar setbacks, Apple withheld details about two significant iOS 26 features: live translation via AirPods and automatic syncing of captive Wi-Fi logins across devices. According to Gurman, these are expected to roll out with iOS 26.1 in October or iOS 26.2 in December. The AirPods translation feature will enable real-time call and message translation, while Wi-Fi syncing will eliminate the need to repeatedly log into public networks across Apple devices.
However, not all regions will experience iOS 26’s full feature set at launch. Apple confirmed that some tools, such as the “visited places” feature for encrypted location tracking, will be unavailable in the European Union due to regulatory complications under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company is working to resolve these issues to deliver as many features as possible to EU users.
The naming jump to iOS 26 also signals Apple’s broader vision for a unified ecosystem powered by real-time intelligence and machine learning. Rumors of a desktop mode for iPhones, inspired by Apple Vision Pro, and AI-driven battery management suggest iOS 26 is more than a cosmetic update. By aligning software names with the year, Apple aims to streamline its ecosystem and set the stage for future innovations, including potential foldable iPhones in 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from Bloomberg, 9to5Mac, MacRumors, and other tech news sources, as well as announcements from Apple’s WWDC 2025. Information is accurate as of July 7, 2025, but features and release dates are subject to change.