Say Hello to “Liquid Glass”: A Visual Revolution
The wait is over! Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 just wrapped up, and the star of the show for iPhone users is undoubtedly iOS 26. But it’s not just a new number; it’s a monumental shift, ushering in a fresh design philosophy and deeply integrating powerful AI capabilities that promise to redefine how we interact with our iPhones.
The first thing you’ll notice about iOS 26 is its breathtaking new aesthetic, dubbed “Liquid Glass.” Inspired by the immersive experience of visionOS, this design language brings a beautiful, translucent, and dynamic quality to your iPhone’s interface. App icons, menus, and system elements now exhibit a subtle, glass-like depth, reflecting and refracting their surroundings. It’s a gorgeous overhaul that makes the entire user experience feel more alive, expressive, and undeniably modern – the biggest visual refresh since iOS 7.
This isn’t just about looks; it’s about a more intuitive and fluid interaction. The “Liquid Glass” design enhances usability with elements that react to your touch and dynamically transform, focusing your attention on the content that matters most.
Apple Intelligence: The Brains Behind the Beauty
Beyond the stunning visuals, the true game-changer in iOS 26 is the profound integration of Apple Intelligence. This isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a suite of on-device AI capabilities designed to make your iPhone smarter, more personal, and incredibly proactive.
Key Highlights of Apple Intelligence in iOS 26:
- Live Translation: Breaking down language barriers has never been easier. Live Translation is now seamlessly integrated into Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, offering real-time text and audio translation during your conversations.
- Smarter Siri & Shortcuts: Siri is getting a significant upgrade, becoming more contextually aware and capable of performing more complex tasks. Apple Intelligence also powers “intelligent actions” within Shortcuts, making automation more powerful and intuitive.
- Genmoji & Image Playground: Get ready to express yourself in entirely new ways! Genmoji allows you to create custom emojis simply by typing a description. The Image Playground app leverages AI to generate playful images in moments, even transforming rough sketches into polished visuals.
- Enhanced Call & Message Screening: Say goodbye to spam! iOS 26 introduces intelligent call screening (building on Live Voicemail) to help you filter unwanted calls and a dedicated folder for messages from unknown senders, giving you more control over your conversations.
- Smarter Photos App: The Photos app receives updates with “Visual Intelligence,” allowing you to learn about objects and places in your photos, and even transform 2D images into 3D Spatial Scenes.
- Unified Communications: The Phone and Messages apps have been redesigned for a more streamlined experience, with features like group chat polls and customizable backgrounds.
Beyond the iPhone: A Unified Ecosystem
One of the most significant overarching changes announced at WWDC 2025 is Apple’s new naming convention. All of Apple’s core operating systems – iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS – are now also adopting the “26” designation, creating a unified and consistent experience across your entire Apple ecosystem. This signals a deeper integration and shared design language that extends far beyond the iPhone.
Which iPhones Will Support iOS 26?
Good news for many iPhone users! iOS 26 will be available on a wide range of devices. However, Apple has discontinued support for some older models.
Here’s the full list of iPhones compatible with iOS 26:
- iPhone 16 Series:
- iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 15 Series:
- iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Series:
- iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Series:
- iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Series:
- iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Series:
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE:
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
Important Note on Apple Intelligence: While all the devices listed above will receive the iOS 26 update with its new design and system-wide improvements, the full suite of Apple Intelligence features will require iPhones with the A17 Pro chip or later. This means that for the most advanced AI capabilities like enhanced image generation and more sophisticated personal assistant tools, you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any of the upcoming iPhone 16 models.
When Can You Get It?
Developers can dive into the iOS 26 beta today. A public beta is expected to roll out in July, allowing eager users to get a sneak peek at the new features. The official, stable release of iOS 26 for all compatible iPhones is anticipated in September 2025, likely alongside the new iPhone 17 series.
iOS 26 marks a bold step forward for Apple, blending a gorgeous new visual identity with truly intelligent features. It’s an update that promises to make your iPhone more personal, productive, and a delight to use. Get ready to experience the future!