Apple has rolled out iOS 26 during WWDC with significant UI enhancements and functionality changes, including a new glassy design, revamped camera and phone apps, and expanded Apple Intelligence features for third-party developers.
Apple unveiled iOS 26 during its recent WWDC keynote, showcasing a major shift in design and usability. Notably, the nomenclature change from iOS 19 reflects Apple’s strategy to align all its operating systems under a unified version number. By renaming the system to align with the year, the company aims to minimize user confusion, especially since its official release will come in 2025, bearing the 2026 label as its primary identifier going forward.
The big design revamp introduces a shiny, glass-like aesthetic named “Liquid Glass”. This new look draws inspiration from visionOS, prominently displaying glossy and edge-lit textures all around. At the forefront, the lock screen showcases a dynamically-adjusting font that accompanies wallpapers, which users can transform into Spatial Photos. Animated album art from Apple Music can now also take the place of a regular wallpaper, offering a fresh experience for users.
The camera application has undergone substantial changes, streamlining its interface to make navigation easier for users. The latest iteration emphasizes two primary options—Photo or Video—while essential controls are conveniently concealed within a top bar. This simplification should attract more users to harness their mobile devices for capturing memorable moments.
Safari also receives the newly designed glass-like treatment, although its functionality stays intact. Users will now enjoy full-screen webpages alongside a floating tab and address bar. This full-screen functionality will extend to FaceTime, which gets rid of controls during calls for a more immersive experience, accompanied by new contact posters on its homepage.
The Phone app is finally seeing a significant update with a unified layout that consolidates contacts, recent calls, and voicemails into a single, user-friendly window. A new Call Screening feature aims to enhance user experience by screening unknown callers and only alerting users after identifying the caller and the purpose of the call. Additionally, the Hold Assist function will manage hold music to keep users engaged while they wait.
In the realm of messaging, iOS 26 brings new custom backgrounds and improved group chat functionalities. Users can set polls which are intelligently suggested by AI, and group chats will feature typing indicators for enhanced interaction. Spam detection and a new Genmoji function using ChatGPT images further bolster the messaging service.
Apple Music introduces a fresh approach by adding translations for lyrics along with pronunciation guides. The Automix feature is also being improved to facilitate seamless transitions between tracks. Regarding Maps, users will see enhancements that monitor daily commute patterns and learn preferred routes, with an option to remove visited places from the history.
Apple Wallet expands its capabilities to include over 20 car brands supporting Car Key, with more automotive names like Porsche in the pipeline. Additional features like digital identification for travelers and new flight status widgets are also in development.
In a noteworthy move, Apple is opening up third-party developers to its models, allowing access to Apple Intelligence features directly from their apps. This decision could lead to a surge in AI-integrated applications, enhancing the overall experience. On the consumer side, Live Translation will now enable AI-assisted translations during conversations in various applications, expanding beyond simple text translation. An API will be available for developers looking to leverage this functionality in their programs.
