Apple has previewed iOS 26, the next major update to the iPhone operating system, bringing a modern design, new AI-powered features, and improvements across core apps like Phone, Messages, Maps, Music, and CarPlay.
One of the most noticeable changes is the new Liquid Glass design—a translucent material that makes app icons, widgets, and controls appear more dynamic.
The redesign extends across the Lock Screen and Home Screen, introducing 3D spatial effects, clearer layouts in Camera and Photos, and floating tab bars in apps like Apple Music and News.
iOS 26 is powered by Apple Intelligence, a set of AI tools deeply integrated into the system. Highlights include Live Translation in Phone, Messages, and FaceTime, Visual Intelligence for recognizing content on screen, and tools like Genmoji and Image Playground for creative expression.
A new Foundation Models framework also gives developers access to powerful on-device AI, enabling offline and private performance at no extra cost.
The Phone and Messages apps receive major upgrades too. A unified layout in Phone now merges favorites, recents, and voicemail. Call Screening filters unknown callers, while Hold Assist alerts users when a real person answers. In Messages, unknown senders are routed to a separate tab, and new features include custom chat backgrounds and polls, aided by Apple Intelligence.
CarPlay now includes Tapbacks, pinned conversations, floating widgets, and a more compact call view. Apple also introduced Apple Games, a new hub that centralizes game content, Apple Arcade access, and updates across titles.
Apple Music now features Lyrics Translation and DJ-style transitions. In Apple Maps, Visited Places lets users review past locations, while Wallet introduces real-time flight updates, Apple Pay installment options, and enhanced airport navigation tools.
The update is available to developers starting today, with a public beta launching next month. iOS 26 will roll out this fall as a free update for iPhone 11 and newer. Some Apple Intelligence features require newer models, including iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro.