Apple Unveils iOS 26 and Debuts Revolutionary “Liquid Glass” Design

June 9, 2025 at WWDC, Apple revealed the company’s first major design overhaul iOS26 since iOS7. Charge’s main mark is a Liquid glass interface-a-design language that is iOS, iPados, MacOS Tahoe, Watchos, TvOS and VisionOS.

What is liquid glass?

Liquidglass is a translucent design material that reflects and breaks the surroundings in real time, making dynamic speech highlights. It is integrated on the home screen, lock screen, navigation bar, widget and system controls, suitable for light and dark mode.

Apple described it as its “extensive software design update”, which combines liquid visual combinations with useless tools through real-time reproduction — a spontaneous fusion of beauty and functionality.

Introducing Liquid Glass: A New Visual Era for iOS

Iiquid glass brings an aesthetics with the next gon to the iPhone, offering a floating, translucent design that is beneficial for the surroundings. It is designed to reflect the light, respond to the speed, and is basically integrated with each layer of the operating system. From locking screen to system apps, this design is not only visually fantastic, but also deeply immersive.

Key design enhancements:

• Dynamic on all screens
• Mixed light/dark mode to visual depth
• Related icons and widgets to complement new user interface
• Integrated design in all Apple platforms including iPados and MacOS

Smarter, Faster, More Personal: Powered by Apple Intelligence

With visual changes, iOS 26 Apple introduces intelligence, a privacy-first, AI engine on the device. It is designed to streamline everyday tasks and provide relevant suggestions when you need them.

Notable features include:

• Live translation: Real -time language translation in telephone, message and facetime
• Contextual Assistance: AI can analyze screenshots, e -mail and app content to provide relevant insights
• AI application equipment: Sugged editing, summary and tone adjustment proposed in mail and notes
• Smart notifications: Priority notice and intelligent grouping to reduce chaos

Revamped Core Apps

Many underlying apps have received significant updates in both functionality and design:

• Telephone and Message: Compact Call Screen, Writing Indicators, Chat Background and Enrollments Apple Cash Payments
• Apple Maps: Predictive Reerouting, On-Divis AI for better location suggestions and better transit data
• Apple Music: Automics feature, lyrical translation in real time and pronounced tools for experiences such as karaoke
• Game Center: Now rebranded as the “Games” app, organizing Apple Arcade titles, community stats, and live events
• CarPlay: Supports multi-app usage with split-screen view and enhanced media integration

Compatibility and Release Timeline

iOS 26 will be available to all devices with an A13 Bionic chip or newer, which includes the iPhone 11 series and later. However, advanced Apple Intelligence features will require an A17 Pro or newer, making them exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, and upcoming models.

• Developer beta: Available now
• Public beta: Launching in July 2025
• Official release: Expected September 2025, alongside the new iPhone lineup

Design Reactions: Love It or Leave It?

While many users and designers are applauding Liquid Glass for its modern, cohesive look, some have criticized its strong translucency and light-bending effects as distracting or hard to read. The bold shift marks a new visual identity for iOS—and not everyone is on board just yet.

iOS 26 represents a bold step forward—visually expressive, deeply intelligent, and crafted for the future. Whether you’re an iPhone veteran or new user, the Liquid Glass interface and Apple Intelligence will redefine how you experience your device.