Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 kicked off with a software showcase, and iOS 26 took center stage. Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, nailed it: “iOS 26 shines with the gorgeous new design and meaningful improvements to the features users rely on every day, making iPhone even more helpful.”
What does “Liquid Glass” actually mean? Well, the design breaks away from the traditional Apple-look, with menus, icons, and buttons sporting a translucent look that mimics the airy look of Apple’s Vision Pro headset. App icons keep their familiar shapes but pick up a subtle shimmer. Notifications and search bars blend seamlessly into the background.
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Live Translation is integrated directly into Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, all driven by Apple’s on-device AI, keeping your convos locked down tight. “Live Translation is enabled by Apple-built models that run entirely on device, so users’ personal conversations stay personal,” Apple stressed.
Apple Intelligence steps up big time in iOS 26, weaving itself into the operating system to deliver features that feel like they were custom-built. Visual intelligence gets a major boost, letting you search or act on anything on-screen. It’s an intuitive way to wrestle complex tasks into submission, all while Apple keeps privacy first with on-device processing. Federighi summed it up: “iOS 26 shines with… meaningful improvements to the features users rely on every day.”
Messages gets a serious overhaul, too, packing enough upgrades to make your chats pop. You can slap custom backgrounds on conversations, whip up polls for group plans, and even handle Apple Cash right in group threads. Group typing indicators add a fun, vibe, while Live Translation makes chatting across languages a breeze. The Phone app, meanwhile, rolls out AI-powered call screening to squash spam and a “Hold Assist” feature to keep calls running without hogging your focus. These tweaks cut through the noise of modern communication, keeping you locked in on what counts. Federighi put it best: “Updates to the Phone and Messages apps help users stay connected while eliminating distractions like unwanted calls.”
Gamers, rejoice—iOS 26 introduces Apple Games, a dedicated app that pulls all your games into one hub. Whether you’re deep into Apple Arcade or playing third-party titles, this app organizes your library and offers personalized recommendations. It’s a small but welcome addition, especially for those who see their iPhone as a gaming powerhouse.
iOS 26 will support iPhone 11 and newer models, though some features, like Apple Intelligence, require beefier hardware like the iPhone 15 Pro or later. The first beta drops for developers post-keynote on June 9, 2025, with a public beta likely in July and a full release in September alongside new iPhones.
