Apple Unveils iOS 26 with Liquid Glass Design and Smart Features

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 unveiled iOS 26, a major evolution in the iPhone experience marked by the introduction of the Liquid Glass design language. This new aesthetic, inspired by the VisionOS interface of the Vision Pro, brings a translucent, glass-like visual style that dynamically adapts to content and light, creating a fluid and immersive user interface across iPhone, iPad, Watch, and TV devices.

The Liquid Glass design introduces an “All Clear” mode for app icons, rendering them as transparent glass without color, alongside existing Light and Dark modes. Lock screens gain enhanced 3D spatial scenes powered by machine learning, adding depth and interaction to background photos. Elements like the dock and widgets now appear as floating, rounded glass panels that respond dynamically to notifications and user interaction.

Streamlined Core Apps for Focus and Simplicity

Apple has revamped several core apps with minimalism and usability in mind. The Camera app now features a simplified interface showing only two main controls—Video and Camera—with additional settings accessible via intuitive swipes. Similarly, the Photos app replaces its cluttered interface with a Liquid Glass menu at the bottom, making photo browsing more enjoyable and straightforward.

The Phone app receives a significant overhaul, adopting a unified layout that leverages modern iPhone screen sizes. It introduces smart features like Call Screening, which answers unknown calls and only rings when the caller identifies themselves, and Hold Assist, which detects hold music and mutes it while waiting for a live agent. These enhancements reduce call-related friction and improve user control.

Messages now supports dynamic chat backgrounds that showcase the Liquid Glass effect, along with group polls that allow participants to vote and add options, streamlining group decision-making. Enhanced spam detection and unknown number screening keep conversations relevant and distraction-free.

Smarter Communication with Live Translation and AI

One of the standout features of iOS 26 is live translation, powered by Apple Intelligence. This technology provides near-real-time translation during voice calls, FaceTime conversations, and Messages, breaking down language barriers effortlessly. Additionally, AI enhancements extend to combining emojis for expressive Genmoji creations, image generation through ChatGPT integration in Image Playground, and Visual Intelligence that can analyze screenshots to extract text or event details for calendar integration.

These AI-driven features demonstrate Apple’s commitment to embedding intelligence seamlessly into everyday interactions, enhancing productivity and user experience without overwhelming the interface.

Enhanced Entertainment and Utility Apps

The Music app introduces lyrics translation and pronunciation guides, making global music more accessible. AutoMix intelligently blends songs for seamless transitions, while pinned favorites simplify library navigation. Recognizing the iPhone’s role as a gaming device, Apple launches a dedicated Games app to centralize Apple Arcade and other titles, reducing friction for gamers.

Maps now personalizes navigation by tracking frequent routes and visited places, alerting users to delays before travel. CarPlay adopts the Liquid Glass design with compact call notifications, widget support, and Live Activities integration, enhancing in-car information delivery without distraction.

The Wallet app expands its utility with Digital IDs for domestic TSA screening, rewards management, installment payments, and AI-powered order tracking that aggregates shipping details from emails and texts, consolidating purchase information in one place.

Additional Features and Accessibility Enhancements

Beyond the headline features, iOS 26 includes subtle but impactful updates: AirPods with the H2 chip can remotely trigger iPhone video recording; customizable alarm snooze durations; high-definition audio recording during calls and video; and a redesigned Braille experience. The Reminders app leverages AI to suggest tasks based on device text, while the Journal app supports multiple journals with inline images and geotagging. Parental controls receive enhancements for communication safety and app management.

iOS 26 will be available this fall, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 17 lineup. Developer betas are already accessible, with a public beta expected in July. The update supports iPhone 11 and later models, including the iPhone SE (2nd generation and newer).

With iOS 26, Apple not only refreshes its visual identity but also deepens the integration of AI and intelligent design to create a more adaptive, efficient, and enjoyable user experience. This update signals a new era where software interfaces behave more like living materials—fluid, responsive, and context-aware—setting a high bar for future mobile operating systems.