During WWDC 2025 last Monday (9), Apple unveiled the new update for its operating system, iOS 26.
The company announced it was skipping iOS 18, which followed a year-by-year progression since the first iOS launched with the first iPhone in 2007. Now, the version number will match the last two digits of the following year of its release.
Among the new features, Apple announced a new design called Liquid Glass, which will “create even more harmony while maintaining the distinct qualities that make each platform unique.”
According to Apple, this design innovation combines “the optical qualities of glass with the fluidity only Apple can achieve.”
“[The design] is translucent and behaves like real-world glass. Its color is influenced by surrounding content and intelligently adapts to light and dark environments,” Apple said.
“This new material ranges from the smallest user interface elements — such as buttons, text, and media controls — to larger elements like sidebars for app navigation.”
“It also shines in system experiences such as the lock screen, home screen, notifications, control center, and more,” the company explained.
Additionally, Apple aligned the iOS version number with its other operating systems: iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS will all get version “26” with the same new features coming to iPhones in the next update.
Other features include a 3D lock screen; customizable background in the Messages app; introduction of Apple Games, a new app dedicated to gaming; and a revamped camera app interface.
Regarding its AI, Apple Intelligence, new live translation features were introduced; call holding, which can be used to “hold your place in line” on calls to businesses, for example; and emoji creation with Genmoji.
They also introduced Workout Buddy, an AI companion that can pair with the Apple Watch to provide wellness tips and motivational messages based on health and activity data.
Photo and video: X @theapplehub. This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
