At its annual WWDC event in Cupertino, Apple officially introduced iOS 26, showcasing the most significant iPhone UI transformation since iOS 7. Leading the charge is the eye-catching Liquid Glass aesthetic, marking a bold evolution in iOS design after more than ten years. Beyond the revamped visuals, Apple has also overhauled a number of native apps to align with the updated style and bring in enhanced features for a more cohesive user experience.
Apple iOS 26 major features:
One of the most anticipated upgrades previewed so far is the new Liquid Glass UI, offering a futuristic look and feel to iPhones. In addition, Apple has revamped the design of core apps including Safari, Camera, and Photos, introducing a more intuitive structure. Another standout feature in the latest OS is the introduction of fluid transitions and expanded personalization options for both the Lock and Home screens. With these enhancements, Apple is clearly focused on delivering a more seamless and user-centric experience.
Alongside the new OS, Apple is introducing a dedicated Apple Games app designed to help users easily discover, organize, and access their gaming titles. Additionally, the much-discussed Apple Intelligence is evolving with powerful new features, now capable of handling functions such as real-time translation for both written content and spoken audio.
Core apps like Phone and Messages have been redesigned with fresh interfaces and added functionalities. The Phone app now merges voicemail, favorites, and recent calls into one streamlined view for easier navigation.
New tools such as Hold Assist and Call Screening have also been introduced to offer better call management. Meanwhile, the Messages app gains several upgrades including the ability to create polls within conversations, view typing indicators in group chats, and set personalized chat backgrounds for a more dynamic messaging experience.
How to Get iOS 26 Beta on Your iPhone:
To try out the iOS 26 beta, you’ll need to log in using your Apple ID via the Apple Developer Program, which is now free to join. After enrolling, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates, and choose the option labeled “iOS 26 Developer Beta.”
Devices That Will Not Support iOS 26:
iPhone Xs
iPhone Xs Max
iPhone XR
These models will not receive the iOS 26 upgrade and will continue to get security updates only.
List of iPhones Compatible with iOS 26:
iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd Gen and 3rd Gen)
iPhone 16e
These models are eligible to receive the latest iOS 26 features and updates.
iPhones Supporting Apple Intelligence Features in iOS 26:
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 16 series: iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16e
