On June 9th, at its annual WWDC 2025 conference, Apple officially introduced iOS 26, a radically new operating system for iPhone that signifies a substantial leap forward in design and functionality. A distinctive feature of this new version is a change in the OS numbering scheme; it now corresponds to the release year, meaning Apple has transitioned directly from iOS 18 to iOS 26.

The central innovation in iOS 26 is the entirely new Liquid Glass design language. All system elements, including application icons, contextual menus, and the Control Center, have been completely redesigned, adopting a translucent glass aesthetic. This unique style imbues the interface with depth and a contemporary feel, making interaction with the iPhone even more intuitive and aesthetically pleasing. Users will be able to appreciate the visual changes in the attached screenshots (if available).

Key Innovations in iOS 26 by Category and Application

Lock Screen: The clock on the Lock Screen now dynamically resizes, adapting to the selected wallpaper. The music player has become transparent, and album art can display animations directly on the Lock Screen, extending beyond the Apple Music application.

"Home" Screen: Most standard application icons have been redesigned to conform to the Liquid Glass design language. In addition to light and dark modes, icons now support a new transparent mode.

"Camera:" Navigation within the Camera application has been completely rethought. Upon launch, only two primary modes are available: "Photo" and "Video." All other settings and functions (e.g., resolution and frame rate for video, and portrait mode and macro for photos) are now grouped within these primary modes, simplifying the interface.

"Phone:" The "Favorites" section has been removed from the application. Favorite contacts are now directly accessible on the main screen of recent calls. An AI-powered feature provides a brief summary of previous conversations with each contact. The integrated dialer now supports real-time translation of the interlocutor's speech into another language using artificial intelligence.

"Photos:" The Photos application is now divided into two primary categories: "Feed" and "Collections." "Feed" displays all photos and videos in chronological order, while "Collections" aggregates private and group albums, as well as albums organized by faces and pets.

"Messages:" iMessage now allows users to set individual chat wallpapers for conversations with other iPhone users, similar to a feature in Telegram. Furthermore, it is now possible to create polls within group chats.

"Emoji:" Through integration with Apple Intelligence, users can not only create their own emojis but also combine existing ones to form unique expressions.

"Games:" Apple has launched an entirely new "Games" application, consolidating the functionalities of the App Store, Apple Arcade, and Game Center. The application allows users to purchase and download games, track their own and friends' progress, participate in competitions, and communicate with other players. Media outlets have already dubbed this application a "Steam killer."

Live Translation: Apple has introduced an innovative AI system capable of translating conversations in real time. This system is integrated into Messages, Phone, and FaceTime. A crucial aspect is that the model operates directly on the device, ensuring a high level of privacy. Developers will gain access to an API to integrate this functionality into third-party applications.

Other Innovations in iOS 26

• The Notes application now automatically creates categories based on note content, simplifying organization.

• The Phone application has gained an AI-powered answering machine.

• Apple Music now features a lyric translation function.

• CarPlay now permits modification of attached widgets.

iOS 26 is currently available as a beta version for developers. The public release for owners of current iPhone models is anticipated in September 2025.

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