Apple Unveils iOS 26 with Liquid Glass design, On-Device AI, Apple Intelligence and more

Apple officially previewed iOS 26, highlighting major updates focused on a refreshed design language, enhanced intelligence, and app improvements. Described as “more expressive” and “delightful,” the update maintains the core familiarity of iOS while introducing a modernized, immersive experience.

Refined Design with Liquid Glass -

A key visual change in iOS 26 is the introduction of Liquid Glass, a new design material that brings translucent, reflective, and refractive effects across the system. It adds depth and focus to elements like app icons, widgets, and controls, and adapts dynamically to surrounding content and lighting.

The Home Screen and Lock Screen become more personal and dynamic. The Lock Screen clock seamlessly integrates with background images, while 3D wallpaper effects respond to motion for a more engaging experience.

Notable app design enhancements include:

• A cleaner, more intuitive Camera app layout
• Photos now separates content into distinct Library and Collections views
• Safari delivers edge-to-edge browsing with quick access to common actions
• Apple Music, News, and Podcasts introduce floating tab bars that shrink while scrolling

Developers can integrate the new design using updated APIs that support Liquid Glass effects.

Smarter Features with Apple Intelligence -

iOS 26 also debuts a new wave of on-device intelligence under the banner of Apple Intelligence, enabling more private, capable, and context-aware features:

• Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone offers real-time audio and text translation—completely on-device for privacy.
• Visual intelligence allows contextual actions on screen content, with ChatGPT assisting in search and recommendations across apps like Google and Etsy.
• Genmoji and Image Playground provide creative tools for mixing emojis and images.
• Shortcuts now support intelligent suggestions and advanced tools for writing and image generation.
• Automatic order tracking detects and summarizes delivery details, even from non-Apple Pay emails.
• The Foundation Models framework helps developers build fast, offline AI features while preserving user privacy.

Communication & Focus Enhancements -

Phone app improvements include a unified view of Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails, plus Call Screening and Hold Assist to detect live agents.

In Messages, unknown senders are now screened silently. New features include:

• AI-generated chat backgrounds
• Polls for group chats
• Typing indicators in group messages
• Support for Apple Cash transfers

CarPlay Improvements -

CarPlay now features:

• A compact in-call view that preserves navigation
• Tapbacks and pinned threads in Messages
• Widgets and Live Activities for real-time updates
• Enhanced integration with CarPlay Ultra, offering tighter syncing with in-car displays

Apple App Updates -

• Apple Music: Adds Lyrics Translation, Pronunciation, and AutoMix for smooth, AI-powered song transitions.
• Maps: New Visited Places feature with full encryption, route suggestions, and on-device delay alerts.

• Wallet: Apple Pay now supports instalment payments and rewards. Boarding passes integrate with Live Activities for real-time flight updates and airport navigation.

Additional New Features -

• Apple Games: A new app to track, explore, and play games, including Apple Arcade titles.
• AirPods: Introduces studio-quality audio recording, better call clarity, and remote camera shutter control.
• Parental Controls: Easier setup, content blurring, and approval workflows for child accounts.
• Safari: Strengthened fingerprinting protection is now enabled by default.
• Accessibility: Adds a systemwide Accessibility Reader, updated Braille interface, and improved Live Listen, Background Sounds, and Personal Voice.
• Reminders: Uses AI to suggest and group related tasks.
• Clock: Custom snooze options from 1 to 15 minutes.
• Journal: Now supports multiple journals, inline images, and a map-based entry view.

Availability -

• Developer beta: Available now via the Apple Developer Program (as of June 9, 2025)
• Public beta: Launches next month via the Apple Beta Software Program
• Stable release: Arrives this fall for iPhone 11 and later

Apple Intelligence features require:

• iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max
• iPad mini with A17 Pro chip
• Mac or iPad with M1 chip or newer

Language support currently includes English, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese, with more languages, including Dutch, Swedish, Turkish, and Vietnamese, coming by year-end 2025.