What will your iPhone look like now? iOS 26 explained
Apple
just dropped a major redesign with iOS 26, and it's a big one. The new look is all about creating a more unified experience across devices, built on something Apple's calling
Liquid Glass
.It's not just a fresh coat of paint either there are new additions to
Apple Intelligence
.
Let's break it down.
Redesign for iOS 26
It's been over a decade since Apple last gave the
iPhone
interface a major visual shake-up remember the big shift with iOS 7 back in 2013, when skeuomorphism made way for flat design? (We're not counting the Vision Pro here.)
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Now with iOS 26, Apple's going all in again.
The entire UI gets a facelift icons and buttons have been redesigned, and toolbars/tab bars now feature a sleek, see-through look. Pop-out menus are also making a debut, offering quick access to commonly used options. It's a subtle nod to the old 3D Touch 'peek and pop' days, but with a more modern execution.
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Widgets are sticking around, but they're getting a makeover too updated to match the new visual style across the board.
iOS 26 isn't just about Apple Intelligence. It's about reimagining how
iPhones
look and feel in 2025.
ET Online
iOS 26 introduces a bold new 'Liquid Glass' design—an elegant, semi-transparent interface that unifies icons, toolbars, and menus across apps, offering a sleek, modern, and immersive iPhone experience.
Native App updates
The
Phone
app, for instance, is getting a smarter layout. Recent calls and voicemails are now combined into a single tab, with your favorite contacts pinned right at the top for quicker access.
And here's where Apple Intelligence comes in: you'll get AI-powered summaries of your voicemail transcripts, so you can skim through what matters without having to listen to the whole message.
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Let's start with privacy and communication.
Safari
now includes
advanced fingerprinting protection
by default, and its address bar is more transparent to match the new design language. The Phone app gets smarter with a new call screening tool that can auto-answer unknown numbers. You'll see who's calling and why, in real time powered by Apple Intelligence so you can decide whether it's worth picking up.
In
FaceTime
, Apple's moved the key controls to the bottom right of the screen, making them easier to access during a call.
Messages is catching up to the times. You can now set a custom background for group chats (just like Messenger), and everyone in the chat sees the same one. You'll also be able to create polls, send Apple Cash in group conversations, and finally see typing indicators in group threads.
Apple's also working on on-device spam detection for texts. Super useful but let's be honest, if Apple starts auto-filtering those scam messages, some of us might actually miss crafting the perfect one-liner before hitting block.
Photos and Camera are getting some love too. After years of feature overload, the Camera app is being simplified. Switching between stills and video? Just swipe. And yes tabs are making a comeback in the Photos app, making navigation way less frustrating.
All in all, iOS 26 is clearly more than just a visual glow-up. It's Apple tightening the screws where it matters, while finally giving users some of the quality-of-life features we've been asking for.
Maps is getting smarter in iOS 26. It'll learn your preferred routes—like dropping the kids off before heading to work—and give you real-time updates on things like traffic along those paths. There's also a new Google Maps-style location history feature. Apple says it's end-to-end encrypted, so even they can't see where you've been.
Wallet's getting some useful upgrades too. You'll be able to create a digital ID from your passport, and boarding passes are getting a refresh with real-time flight updates via Live Activities, airport maps, and even a quick option to report lost baggage.
There's also a brand-new core app:
Games
. It's a dedicated space to explore Apple Arcade titles, access your game library, check achievements, and jump into multiplayer. Apple's clearly leaning further into gaming, especially with major titles like
Death Stranding
and
Resident Evil
now making their way to iPhones and iPads.
Apple Intelligence Updates
Among the most game-changing features in iOS 26 is real-time translation for phone calls, FaceTime, and Messages all handled by on-device AI. This has the potential to break down serious language barriers for iPhone users around the world.
Apple Music
is getting smarter too. Alongside lyric translations and pronunciation help (finally, a shot at nailing that Babymetal verse in
Ratatata
), there's a new AutoMix feature that brings smooth, DJ-style transitions between songs using beat matching and time stretching. It's subtle, but it could seriously level up casual playlists.
On the developer side, Apple's now opening up its on-device foundation models to third-party apps. That means devs can bring features like live translation and more intelligent, privacy-focused tools into their own ecosystems. Quietly huge news.
Elsewhere, the AI updates continue in smaller but interesting ways. Genmoji will now let you fuse two emojis into one custom creation. And while we didn't get the full reveal, Apple's upgraded Siri is still cooking expect a deeper dive later this year.
Which iPhones are getting the iOS 26?
Apple's iOS 26 is coming in hot, and here's the full list of iPhones that'll be compatible:
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14 and 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
iPhone 13 and 13 mini
iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12 and 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (2nd gen and up)
That said, just because your iPhone
can
run iOS 26 doesn't mean it'll get everything.
Much like iOS 18, where Apple Intelligence was limited to newer devices, iOS 26 is playing favorites again. The AI-driven features will only show up on iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and the entire iPhone 16 lineup.
Even beyond AI, some features might be held back on older models—so expect a bit of a mixed bag depending on your device.
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