Apple Unveils iOS 26 Featuring Innovative Liquid Glass Technology at WWDC 2025
iOS 26 made its debut at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, showcasing a host of new features and artificial intelligence (AI) enhancements for iPhone users. Among the most striking updates is the introduction of a new design language called Liquid Glass, which offers a fresh aesthetic for the operating system. The upcoming version will also include Apple Intelligence features, an updated Phone app interface, a redesigned Camera app, typing indicators in Messages, and new functionalities for CarPlay, all set to launch later this year for eligible iPhone models.
iOS 26 Compatible Models
Apple has announced that iOS 26 will be available as a free over-the-air (OTA) software update for iPhone 11 and newer models. However, the advanced Apple Intelligence features will be exclusive to the iPhone 16 series and the iPhone 15 Pro models. Registered Apple developers can access iOS 26 for testing purposes, while a public beta version will be released next month through the Apple Beta Software Program. This allows users to experience the new features ahead of the official rollout.
Visual Improvements in iOS 26
Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, highlighted the new Liquid Glass design in iOS 26. This translucent material enhances the visual experience by reflecting and refracting surrounding elements. It will be integrated into various controls, navigation, app icons, and widgets throughout the operating system. Users will enjoy increased customization options for their home and lock screens, allowing them to personalize app icons and widgets with a fresh, clear appearance.
The lock screen will feature a time widget that adapts dynamically to the available space in an image, expanding or contracting as needed. Additionally, a new 3D effect will be visible when users tilt their iPhones. Other visual enhancements include a streamlined Camera app layout, separate tabs for Library and Collections in the Photos app, and improved web page navigation in Safari. The redesigned tab bar in apps like Apple Music, News, and Podcasts will float near the top of the screen and dynamically adjust to highlight content.
Apple Intelligence Updates
Apple is expanding its Apple Intelligence features, which were first introduced last year. A notable addition is Live Translation, available in apps such as Messages, FaceTime, and Phone. This feature utilizes Apple’s proprietary on-device AI models to automatically translate text and audio in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese.
Updates to Visual Intelligence allow users to engage with ChatGPT to ask questions about what they see on their screens. Users can also search for similar images and products across various platforms like Google and Etsy. Furthermore, the system can recognize events and suggest adding them to the user’s calendar, complete with relevant details. New AI-powered shortcuts and actions for Writing Tools and Image Playground will enhance user experience, while the Foundation Models framework will provide developers access to Apple’s on-device AI capabilities.
Changes to Apps
The Phone app has undergone a significant redesign, featuring a unified layout that merges the Favourites, Recents, and Voicemails tabs. This update incorporates Call Screening, which utilizes Live Voicemail to gather caller information, allowing users to decide whether to answer the call. Additionally, Hold Assist will notify users when an agent is available if they are on hold.
In the Messages app, users can now filter messages from unknown senders into a dedicated folder, keeping them silenced unless otherwise chosen. New features include the ability to create polls, generate chat backgrounds using Apple Intelligence, and see typing indicators in group chats. Apple Music will introduce Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation features, along with an AutoMix function that uses AI for seamless transitions between tracks. Apple Maps will also receive an update called Visited Places, helping users remember locations they have been to and suggesting preferred routes while alerting them to potential delays.
Moreover, Apple has launched a new app named Apple Games, designed to serve as a comprehensive hub for gaming activities. This app will provide users with an overview of their gaming activities, including major events, and allow them to launch games directly from the app.
New CarPlay Features
iOS 26 introduces a compact view for incoming calls in CarPlay, enabling users to see who is calling without losing track of navigation directions. The update also enhances the Messages app with Tapbacks and pinned conversations, along with new widgets and Live Activities, further improving the user experience while driving.
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