Apple officially introduced iOS 26 at its WWDC 2025 on Monday. The update brings several new features and AI enhancements to the iPhone. One of the most significant changes is the new Liquid Glass UI, which incorporates glass-like icons and visual elements. The release also features Apple Intelligence functionalities, a unified Phone app UI, a redesigned Camera app, typing indicators for Messages, improved CarPlay support, and others.

Apple Launches iOS 26 With Liquid Glass Design, AI Upgrades, Live Translation, and Revamped Apps

Apple will release the update later this year for compatible iPhones, starting from the iPhone 11 series, though Apple Intelligence features will be exclusive to the iPhone 16 series and iPhone 15 Pro models. Developers can already access iOS 26, while a public beta will launch next month. According to Apple’s Craig Federighi, Liquid Glass is a translucent material that reflects and refracts surrounding visuals, used throughout the interface. It introduces new customization options to the home and lock screens, allowing app icons and widgets to be placed in a clean, visually appealing manner.

Lock screen time widget that now resizes according to the available space and includes a 3D effect when the phone moves. Other changes include a new-look Camera app interface, better navigation in the Photos app, fluid web pages in Safari, and a redesigned floating tab bar in apps such as Apple Music and News. Apple is also broadening its AI capabilities with Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, providing translation across many languages.

Visual Intelligence lets users ask ChatGPT about onscreen content or search for similar images and products. It can also identify events and propose calendar entries. AI-powered shortcuts, Writing Tools, and Image Playground actions have been added. The new Foundation Models framework allows developers to use Apple’s on-device AI. The Phone app now combines Favourites, Recents, and Voicemail tabs and adds Call Screening and Hold Assist features. Messages gains unknown sender filtering, polls, chat backgrounds, and group typing indicators.

Apple Music now offers Lyrics Translation, Pronunciation, and an AI-driven AutoMix. Apple Maps introduces Visited Places and daily route suggestions. A new Apple Games app consolidates gaming activities and launches. CarPlay now supports a compact call view and adds more messaging features. AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro (2nd gen) benefit from studio-quality audio recording and a camera remote feature, enabling photo capture or video recording via AirPods.