“Apple’s iOS 26, revealed at WWDC 2025, introduces a stunning Liquid Glass design, transforming the iPhone’s interface with translucent, dynamic visuals. The update features enhanced Apple Intelligence, a revamped Photos app, and smarter Siri. Available as a free update for iPhone 11 and later, iOS 26 rolls out in September, setting the stage for future all-glass iPhones.”
Apple’s iOS 26 Brings Liquid Glass Design, Redefining iPhone Aesthetics
Apple unveiled iOS 26 at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, introducing a transformative Liquid Glass interface that marks the most significant design overhaul since iOS 7. The new design, inspired by visionOS, features translucent, refractive surfaces that adapt to light and content, creating a dynamic and immersive user experience. This update, set to release in September 2025, will be available as a free software update for iPhone 11 and later models.
The Liquid Glass design redefines the iPhone’s visual language, with app icons, widgets, and toolbars adopting a glass-like, transparent aesthetic. The Lock Screen now features a time widget that fluidly adjusts to the wallpaper’s available space, complemented by spatial scenes that create a 3D effect when the iPhone is tilted. Users can customize icons with a new “Clear” option, alongside Default, Dark, and Tinted modes, enhancing personalization. The wallpaper plays a starring role, influencing the color of the dock, folders, and icons, ensuring a cohesive look across the system.
Beyond aesthetics, iOS 26 integrates advanced Apple Intelligence features. Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone enables real-time audio and text translation on-device, enhancing communication. Siri has been upgraded with ChatGPT integration, allowing users to query on-screen content or search external platforms like Google and Etsy. The Photos app now features separate tabs for Library and Collections, with 3D viewing capabilities across the Lock Screen and Home Screen.
The update also revamps everyday apps. The Camera app sports a streamlined layout for better focus on capturing moments, while the Phone app introduces call screening to combat spam by requiring unknown callers to provide their name and reason for calling. Apple Music gains Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation features, making it easier to engage with songs in different languages. A new Apple Games app centralizes gaming experiences, integrating Apple Arcade’s 200+ titles with personalized recommendations and social features.
CarPlay receives the Liquid Glass treatment, with widgets, light/dark modes, and compact alerts for calls and messages. CarPlay Ultra offers deeper vehicle integration, unifying controls across all car displays. Accessibility is enhanced with features like Accessibility Reader for customized reading and Braille Access for seamless braille display integration. Safari introduces advanced fingerprinting protection for secure browsing, and Apple Wallet now supports installment payments and rewards.
The iOS 26 developer beta is available now, with a public beta expected in July and a general release alongside the iPhone 17 series in September. The update’s design is seen as a precursor to future hardware, with rumors pointing to a 2027 “Glasswing” iPhone featuring curved glass construction, aligning with the 20th anniversary of the iPhone. Posts on X highlight excitement for the redesign, with users noting its potential to complement an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air and eventual AR-equipped Apple Glasses.
However, the translucent design has sparked mixed reactions. While many praise its futuristic aesthetic, some users feel it clashes with current iPhone hardware, which remains flat and angular. Apple has already adjusted the design in iOS 26 beta 2, toning down transparency based on user feedback, indicating ongoing refinements before the public release.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news, official Apple announcements, and reports from WWDC 2025. Information is sourced from reputable tech publications and posts on X, but user sentiments on X are treated as inconclusive. Always verify details from official sources before updating devices.