Apple has officially taken the wraps off iOS 26, and while it’s tempting to roll your eyes at another numbered update, this one actually feels different. Not because it’s flashy or packed with gimmicks—but because it’s cleaner, smarter, and weirdly calming. There’s a noticeable shift in how things look, move, and interact with you. And yes, Apple is throwing its hat further into the AI ring—but on its own terms.
If you’ve been waiting for a reason to care about your iPhone again, this might be it.
The Look: Apple Polishes the Surface of iOS 26
Apple calls it “Liquid Glass.” You’ll notice it right away. Everything from the lock screen to your app widgets has this soft, translucent sheen. Menus float instead of sitting flat. Animations are slower and more fluid. It feels like the whole UI has been wrapped in frosted glass and dipped in ambient lighting. If you’re a long-time Windows user, the concept may feel familiar: Microsoft tried its hand at something similar with Aero Glass a few years ago.
The new visuals aren’t just about aesthetics, though. They’re functional. Text is easier to read over busy backgrounds. Tap targets are slightly larger. Even the keyboard’s autocorrect feels less aggressive, with undo suggestions just a tap away.
Siri Gets Smarter, But Only for Some
Apple’s biggest bet this year? On-device AI. It’s called Apple Intelligence, and it starts showing up in iOS 26 in small, useful ways—if you’ve got the right hardware.
If you’re using an iPhone 17 Pro or a device with the A17 Pro chip or newer, you get:
- Real-time call and message translation
- Smarter, contextual Siri prompts
- Visual lookup that works across apps and screenshots
- AI-powered Genmoji and image generation tools
If your phone is older, you still get the Liquid Glass interface and performance improvements—but you’re locked out of the flashy AI stuff. Apple says this is about power and privacy. Realistically, it’s also a push to get you to upgrade.
Messages, Calls, and FaceTime Get Personal in iOS 26
One of my favorite updates? Messages finally feels like a 2025 app. Now you can:
- Create polls in group chats
- Use animated or AI-generated backgrounds
- Send and receive Apple Cash in conversations
- Screen unknown senders automatically
FaceTime gets smarter too. It can now blur inappropriate content in real time (which might be more useful than we’d like to admit), and offer live subtitles during calls.
Phone calls are getting the Hold Assist feature. If you’re stuck on hold, your iPhone will wait for you and notify you when a human answers. Pair that with Call Screening, and you’ve got a phone that does more talking than you do.
Photos and Camera Subtly Improve
Photos doesn’t try to reinvent anything. Instead, it goes back to basics. The Library and Collections tabs return, making it easier to scroll through your images without digging through “For You” clutter.
New tools:
- Spatial photo previews for supported images
- Auto-organizing albums that group by activity, not just date or location
- More editing controls accessible with fewer taps
In Camera, you’ll notice quicker access to modes, a better zoom interface, and improved framing suggestions if you’re recording yourself. Nothing revolutionary, but definitely smoother.
Safari, Maps, and Wallet: Quiet Upgrades in iOS 26
Safari goes immersive. Pages now go full-screen with a floating tab bar. Less clutter, more content.
Maps starts to remember your routines—where you park, where you stop for coffee, and what time traffic starts building up. It’s creepy, sure. But also helpful.
Wallet now supports:
- Digital IDs at TSA checkpoints (in select U.S. states)
- Boarding passes that update with gate changes
- Payment tracking for Buy Now Pay Later services
All of it feels more integrated than before, like your phone actually knows what you’re trying to do.
Battery Life and Charging Feel Smarter
Apple’s battery game finally gets a few meaningful changes. Your iPhone can now:
- Predict charge times more accurately (and show them on the lock screen)
- Manage background tasks based on your schedule
- Pause charging at 80% automatically unless you override it
If you’re using wireless charging, Qi 2.2 support means up to 50W fast wireless charging—if your charger supports it. Translation: faster, less finicky top-ups.
iOS 26 Shortcuts, Accessibility, and Nice Touches
The Shortcuts app gains new AI-driven suggestions. Want to auto-summarize a web article or generate a shopping list from a note? It’s a single tap away.
Accessibility gets better too:
- Live Speech reads typed text out loud during calls
- Background sounds and audio balance settings improve focus
- Braille input is faster and more responsive
There’s also a new Clock feature—finally, you can customize the snooze timer. You’d think that would’ve existed already, right?
So, Should You Update?
If you’re already on iOS 25, iOS 26 will feel like a clean upgrade—not disruptive, but noticeable. It looks better, runs more smoothly, and lays the groundwork for a smarter iPhone experience.
But the real magic? That’s only happening if you’re on new hardware. If you’re still using an iPhone 14 or earlier, most of the fancy AI stuff won’t show up. And that’s the quiet sales pitch behind iOS 26.
Still, the polish alone makes it worth the update.
FAQ
- Q: When is iOS 26 available to everyone?
- A: The developer beta is live now. Public beta should drop in July, with general release this fall alongside the iPhone 17.
- Q: Which iPhones get the full AI features?
- A: Only models with the A17 Pro chip or newer—so mostly the iPhone 17 Pro and beyond.
- Q: Does Liquid Glass impact performance?
- A: No. In fact, many users report smoother animations and less battery drain thanks to smarter refresh management.
- Q: Can I use Genmoji or image generation on an older iPhone?
- A: Nope—those require newer hardware due to on-device processing limits.
- Q: Is it worth updating if I don’t care about AI?
- A: Yes. The visual refresh and quality-of-life improvements make iOS 26 feel genuinely fresh—even without the AI perks.