Apple is set to release its next major iPhone software update, iOS 26, this fall. The update introduces a significant visual overhaul called Liquid Glass and brings a host of new features to improve the user experience.
The most noticeable change is the Liquid Glass design language. This new aesthetic gives the home screen, lock screen, and system interfaces a translucent, frosted glass appearance. Buttons in apps like Phone and Maps now have a floating design. While reminiscent of past design trends, the update aims to create a more cohesive look across all Apple devices. Apple has already adjusted the transparency based on early user feedback from the beta versions.
Beyond the visual refresh, iOS 26 is packed with practical new features. The Phone app is getting a redesign, consolidating contacts, recent calls, and voicemails onto a single screen. A new Hold Assist feature will notify you when a customer service agent finally picks up, so you can step away while on hold.
Communication is also getting smarter. Live Translation will provide real-time translation for phone calls, FaceTime, and text messages. The Messages app will finally allow users to create polls in group chats and will filter spam texts into a separate folder, keeping your main inbox cleaner.
A powerful new tool called Visual Intelligence will act like a reverse image search for anything on your screen. If you see a product in a photo, you can take a screenshot and use this feature to find it online. For those who found last year’s Photos app redesign frustrating, the beloved tabs are making a comeback to better organize your Library and Collections.
The update also includes a new Communication Safety feature for FaceTime, which can automatically pause video if nudity is detected, a feature focused on child safety that operates entirely on the device.
iPadOS 26 is receiving equally important updates, most notably a true windowing system for multitasking. This allows users to resize and move app windows freely on the screen, a long-requested feature that brings the iPad experience closer to that of a traditional computer.
AirPods are gaining new functionality as well, including enhanced audio recording for clearer sound in noisy environments and the ability to act as a camera remote to take photos or control video recording. Evidence in the beta also suggests a long-rumored live translation feature for AirPods could be activated by pressing both stems simultaneously.
The final public release of iOS 26 is expected in September, shortly after Apple’s annual iPhone event. The update will be available for iPhone models from the iPhone 11 and later, including the second-generation iPhone SE and all newer models. The current iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max will not be supported.