Apple has officially confirmed that iOS 26 will be released to the public on Monday, September 15, 2025. Ahead of this, the Release Candidate (RC) was distributed to beta testers and is essentially the final build.
iOS 26 is out on September 15th
Top Features & Upgrades
1. Liquid Glass—A Bold New Design Language
- A system-wide makeover introducing translucent, glossy, and dynamic UI elements that refract and reflect content, inspired by visionOS.
- Includes redesigned app icons (tinted or clear look options), animated album art, spatial scene wallpapers that shift in 3D, and an adaptive Lock Screen time display.
- Initially raised legibility concerns, but Apple fine-tuned transparency throughout beta testing.
2. Apple Intelligence Enhancements
- Live Translation across iPhone, Phone app, Messages, and FaceTime—real-time voice and text translation.
- Expanded Visual Intelligence: screenshot-based ChatGPT queries, image search from screenshots, “Genmoji” (emoji merging), and greater integration in third-party apps via Foundation Models Framework.
- Adaptive Power Mode automatically optimizes performance and brightness to extend battery life; may even trigger Low Power Mode at 20% battery.
3. Phone App Redesign & Call Screening
- Phone app now combines Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail in a single unified layout.
- New Call Screening feature: unknown-number calls can be screened with caller’s name and reason before the phone rings; supported in multiple languages.
- Apple had also announced the new iPhone 17 models and the latest Apple Watch versions too.
4. Messages Upgrades
- Ability to add custom backgrounds to chats and share built-in or user-created images.
- Group polls make coordinating plans easier.
- Screened messages (from unknown senders) are separated into a new area for better inbox management.
5. Photos & Camera Enhancements
- Photos app redesign: separate tabs for Library and Collections, new customizable layouts, easier search, and event recognition (e.g., concerts, sports).
- Camera improvements include streamlined mode switching, lens-cleaning alerts (iPhone 15 and later), and AirPods gesture control for capturing photos or videos (AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2+)
6. Apple Games & App Enhancements
- Introduction of a new Games app—central hub for games across Apple’s ecosystem
- Updates to CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, and Wallet—adding new features and improving functionality.
7. Other Useful Additions
- Notification summaries for all apps (like news and entertainment) powered by Apple Intelligence.
Summary Table of Key iOS 26 Enhancements
| Category | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Design | Liquid Glass UI, animated elements, spatial wallpapers, adaptive Lock Screen |
| AI & Intelligence | Live Translation, screenshot ChatGPT, Genmoji, Adaptive Power, notification summaries |
| Phone & Messages | Unified UI, call screening, message backgrounds, group polls, spam filtering |
| Photos & Camera | Redesigned Photos app, smarter navigation, AirPods gesture capture, lens cleaning alerts |
| Apps & System | Apple Games hub, upgrades to CarPlay, Music, Maps, Wallet |