The Revolutionary “Liquid Glass” Design in iOS 26
The new Liquid Glass UI brings a stunning translucent design to iOS 26
The most visually striking change in iOS 26 is what Apple calls the “Liquid Glass” user interface. This design language borrows heavily from visionOS, creating a more immersive and fluid experience across all Apple devices. The new UI features translucent layers, subtle lighting effects, and completely redesigned app icons that create a sense of depth and dimension.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this represents “Apple’s most dramatic visual update since 2013,” when iOS 7 introduced the flat design philosophy that has dominated for over a decade. The Liquid Glass aesthetic creates a more cohesive experience across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, with consistent design elements that make switching between devices feel seamless.
Apple Intelligence: The Brain Behind iOS 26 Updates
Building on last year’s introduction of Apple Intelligence, iOS 26 brings several AI-powered enhancements that make your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. These features work on-device when possible, maintaining Apple’s commitment to privacy while delivering powerful functionality.
AI Battery Management
iOS 26 introduces an intelligent battery optimization system that learns from your usage patterns to extend battery life. The system analyzes how you use your device throughout the day and makes real-time adjustments to conserve power when needed.
Live Translation
Perhaps the most impressive AI feature is Live Translation for AirPods, which allows real-time translation of conversations between people speaking different languages. This feature works seamlessly with Siri to facilitate natural communication without language barriers.
AI Health Coach
The Health app receives a major upgrade with an AI-powered coach that provides personalized wellness guidance. The system analyzes your activity data, sleep patterns, and workout history to offer tailored recommendations for improving your overall health.
Apple Intelligence features work seamlessly across native apps in iOS 26
Redesigned Core Apps in iOS 26
Apple has completely reimagined several of its core apps to align with the new Liquid Glass design language and improve functionality. These updates make everyday tasks more intuitive and efficient.
Simplified Camera App
The Camera app receives a major overhaul with a simplified interface that puts the focus on what you’re shooting. Apple has separated photo and video controls into distinct menus, reducing on-screen clutter and making it easier to access advanced features when needed. The new design features the same glass-like appearance as the rest of iOS 26, creating a more immersive photography experience.
Unified Phone App
The Phone app now features a unified view that combines favorite contacts, recent calls, and voicemails into a single, scrollable window. This streamlined approach makes it easier to access all your communication needs in one place, reducing the need to switch between different tabs. The new design also includes contextual actions that appear when you tap on a contact, providing quick access to messaging, FaceTime, and other communication options.
Enhanced Messages
The Messages app adds several new features, including customizable backgrounds and the ability to create polls within conversations. These additions make group chats more engaging and functional, allowing for better coordination and decision-making. The app also integrates more deeply with Apple Intelligence, offering smart replies and automatic message translation.
Game App Store
Apple is replacing the aging Game Center with a new Game App Store that provides a more comprehensive gaming experience. This dedicated space for games offers improved discovery, social features, and integration with Apple Arcade. The new store also includes enhanced multiplayer capabilities and better tracking of achievements across games.
New Developer Tools and API Access in iOS 26
Developers can now integrate Apple Intelligence into their apps with new APIs
One of the most significant announcements at WWDC 2025 is that Apple is opening up its Apple Intelligence models to third-party developers. This means that app creators can now integrate Apple’s powerful AI capabilities into their own applications, creating more intelligent and responsive experiences.
Developers will have access to APIs for natural language processing, image recognition, and predictive analysis, all while maintaining Apple’s strict privacy standards. This opens up new possibilities for apps that can understand context, predict user needs, and provide more personalized experiences.
“By opening Apple Intelligence to developers, we’re enabling a new generation of apps that are more intuitive, more helpful, and more personalized than ever before. And we’re doing it in a way that protects user privacy at every step.”
Third-Party AI Integration in iOS 26
In a surprising move, Apple announced that iOS 26 will allow users to integrate third-party large language models (LLMs) with Apple Intelligence. The primary partnership is with Google Gemini, giving users the option to choose which AI model powers their experience.
This flexibility allows users to leverage different AI strengths for different tasks while maintaining the privacy protections built into iOS. The integration is seamless, with users able to switch between AI models in Settings without disrupting their workflow.
Genmoji
A fun addition to iOS 26 is Genmoji, which lets users combine a pair of existing standard emojis to create entirely new ones. This creative feature adds a personal touch to your messages and social media posts.
Improved Wi-Fi Handling
iOS 26 introduces better support for public Wi-Fi networks that require sign-in. Once one of your Apple devices connects to a captive portal Wi-Fi network, all other devices using the same Apple ID can connect automatically.
watchOS Improvements
While iOS 26 is the star of WWDC 2025, watchOS also receives significant updates, including the ability for third-party developers to add their own widgets to the Control Center, creating a more customizable experience.
iOS 26 Compatibility and Release Timeline
iOS 26 will be compatible with iPhone 12 and newer models
| Release Phase | Date | Available To | Features Included |
| Developer Beta 1 | June 9, 2025 | Registered Developers | Core UI changes, basic app redesigns |
| Public Beta | July 2025 | Beta Program Participants | Most features except some AI capabilities |
| Official Release | September 2025 | All Compatible Devices | Complete feature set |
| AI Features Update | October-December 2025 | All Compatible Devices | Advanced AI features (Health Coach, etc.) |
Following Apple’s traditional release schedule, iOS 26 is currently available as a developer beta, with the public beta expected in July. The final release will likely coincide with the launch of the iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025. Some of the more advanced AI features may roll out in subsequent updates throughout the fall and winter.
Note: iOS 26 requires iPhone 12 or newer. Older devices will not be compatible with this update due to the advanced processing requirements of the new interface and AI features.
Expert Reactions to iOS 26 Updates from WWDC
“The Liquid Glass design is more than just eye candy—it represents a fundamental shift in how Apple thinks about software design. This is the most significant visual overhaul since iOS 7, and it sets the stage for the next decade of Apple’s design language.”
“By opening up Apple Intelligence to developers and allowing third-party LLM integration, Apple is acknowledging that AI is bigger than any one company. This collaborative approach could accelerate innovation across the entire ecosystem.”
The developer community has responded enthusiastically to the announcements, particularly the opening of Apple Intelligence APIs and the comprehensive redesign of the user interface. Many see these changes as necessary steps to keep iOS competitive in an increasingly AI-driven market while maintaining Apple’s signature focus on design and user experience.
The Future of iOS: Beyond WWDC 2025
iOS 26 lays the groundwork for Apple’s next generation of software experiences
iOS 26 represents more than just an annual update—it signals a new direction for Apple’s software philosophy. The Liquid Glass design language, deeper AI integration, and more open approach to third-party developers all point to a future where the boundaries between devices continue to blur, and software becomes more intelligent and responsive.
As these features evolve and mature over the coming months and years, they will likely influence not just how we use our iPhones, but how we interact with technology in general. The WWDC 2025 announcements may well be remembered as a pivotal moment in Apple’s software history.
Which iOS 26 feature are you most excited about? The stunning new design, the powerful AI capabilities, or perhaps the redesigned apps? Let us know in the comments!
Frequently Asked Questions About iOS 26
When will iOS 26 be available to the public?
iOS 26 is expected to be released to the public in September 2025, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 17 lineup. A public beta will be available in July for those who want to try it early.
Which iPhone models will support iOS 26?
iOS 26 will be compatible with iPhone 12 and newer models. Older devices will not receive the update due to the processing requirements of the new interface and AI features.
Will all Apple Intelligence features work on all compatible devices?
While iOS 26 will run on iPhone 12 and newer, some of the more advanced AI features may require newer hardware. Apple has indicated that the full suite of Apple Intelligence features will work best on iPhone 14 Pro and newer models.
Can I revert to iOS 25 if I don’t like the new design?
During the beta period, it’s possible to downgrade to iOS 25 with some technical steps. However, once the final version of iOS 26 is released, downgrading becomes much more difficult and eventually impossible as Apple stops signing older iOS versions.