Apple recently held its annual WWDC Developers Conference at Apple Park HQ in Cupertino, unveiling significant changes for the iPhone. In a surprising move, the upcoming operating system will not be named iOS 19 as expected but will instead be called iOS 26, aligning with the year ahead, such as 2026.
The new iOS 26 introduces a fresh look known as Liquid Glass, providing a water-style aesthetic to menus, settings, and apps. This update also enhances customization options for a more personalized device appearance.
Among the key features of iOS 26 is the dynamic home screen clock that adjusts according to available space in an image and spatial scenes that add a 3D effect to wallpapers as users move their iPhones. Additionally, Apple has revamped the Camera layout, improved the Photos app, simplified Safari browsing, and enabled unique chat backgrounds for each contact.
Once installed, iOS 26 will offer enhancements like instant translation during conversations in foreign languages, improved flight tracking, call screening, and group chat messaging with family and friends. Apple’s apps are also getting upgrades, such as Lyrics Translation in Apple Music and AutoMix for seamless song transitions.
Apple Maps will now include Visited Places to help users recall their past locations, allowing them to view all visited places on the map. Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, highlighted that iOS 26 features a new design and improved functionalities to enhance user experiences.
The release of iOS 26 is scheduled for September, with Apple confirming that the new software features will be available as a free update for iPhone 11 and later models.