Apple Unveils iOS 26 with Liquid Glass Design and New AI Features
Key Points
- Liquid Glass introduces a translucent aesthetic across iOS and iPadOS.
- Phone app redesign adds Hold Assist and live translation.
- Messages gains spam filtering and group chat polls.
- Visual Intelligence enables on‑screen search for photographed objects.
- Photos tabs return for easier library navigation.
- FaceTime adds on‑device nudity detection for safety.
- iPadOS 26 offers optional multitasking windows and a new menu bar.
- AirPods get studio‑quality recording and remote camera control.
- Siri remains on hold, with future AI model integration hinted.
Apple announced iOS 26, introducing a translucent "Liquid Glass" aesthetic across the lock and a redesign of core apps. The update adds Hold Assist for phone calls, live translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages, and new spam‑filtering tools. Visual Intelligence lets users search for objects captured on screen, while Photos tabs return for easier browsing. iPadOS 26 receives multitasking windows and the same visual overhaul. AirPods gain studio‑quality recording and remote camera control. Siri remains on hold, but Apple hints at future AI integration. The rollout targets iPhones released from 2019 onward.
Liquid Glass Design Refresh
iOS 26 brings a new translucent visual language Apple calls "Liquid Glass." The design changes affect home and lock screens, making apps and widgets appear clear while still respecting light and dark modes. Buttons in several apps adopt a floating style meant to be less distracting. Apple has already adjusted the transparency based on early user feedback, dialing back the effect in some areas.
Key iPhone Features
The Phone app now consolidates contacts, recent calls, and voicemail on a single screen and introduces Hold Assist, which alerts users when a call representative is ready, reducing time spent on hold. Live Translation enables real‑time language conversion and is also available in FaceTime and Messages, allowing conversations across language barriers.
Messaging gains a spam‑filtering folder for unknown senders, and group chats can now create polls to simplify decision‑making. Visual Intelligence lets users snap a screenshot and search for objects shown on the screen, similar to a reverse image search.
Photos sees its tabs return, separating Library and Collections for quicker navigation. The Camera app is streamlined with buttons and menus placed for easier access, and a new lens‑cleaning alert appears when needed.
FaceTime and Safety
FaceTime introduces a "Communication Safety" feature that pauses calls if nudity is detected, using on‑device detection to protect privacy.
Lock Screen and Alarms
The lock screen becomes more customizable with a new clock style, 3D wallpaper effects, additional widgets, and enhanced Focus mode options. Alarms now let users adjust snooze intervals beyond the default nine‑minute setting.
iPadOS 26 Enhancements
iPadOS 26 adopts the Liquid Glass look and adds optional multitasking windows, allowing users to resize and move apps on the screen. A new menu bar appears when swiping down, offering File, Edit, Windows and search functions.
AirPods Updates
AirPods receive studio‑quality audio recording for clearer sound in noisy environments and a remote camera control feature that lets users trigger photo or video capture from the earbuds. A gesture hint suggests live translation support may arrive alongside iOS 26.
Siri Outlook
Siri remains paused for major upgrades, with Apple indicating future integration of third‑party large language models to boost its capabilities, though no concrete changes appear in the current beta.
Device Compatibility and Rollout
iOS 26 will be available for iPhones released from 2019 onward. Models such as the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max are excluded. The public beta is accessible through the Apple Beta Software Program, and the final release is expected later this fall.