At WWDC 2025, Apple made waves by renaming its operating systems to match the year—so it’s now iOS 26, not iOS 19. Set to launch this fall, here’s what you should know about the new release, developer beta, and the striking “Liquid Glass” design.
📅 When Will iOS 26 Be Available?
The first developer beta dropped on June 9, 2025, right after the WWDC keynote. A public beta is expected by mid-July, paving the way for the final version to arrive on September 16, 2025—about a week after the iPhone 17 series ships .
🎨 Liquid Glass: A Total UI Overhaul
Apple has introduced its most significant interface redesign in years, called “Liquid Glass”. Across iOS 26 (and other platforms), you’ll see:
- Translucent, glass-like overlays that adapt to content and ambient light
- Smoother animations, glowing widgets, and icons inspired by visionOS aesthetics
- A redesigned Control Center, Safari tabs with rounded design, and refreshed Camera, Messages, and Phone apps
🤖 Apple Intelligence: Smarter Than Before
iOS 26 enhances its on-device AI features under the “Apple Intelligence” banner:
- Live translation for calls, FaceTime, and Messages
- Visual Intelligence tools like Image Playground and “Genmoji” emoji generation
- Context-aware battery optimization and deeper camera & Siri integration
🔧 Developer-Friendly Tools
Developers get early access starting today. The new Foundation Models framework supports “Liquid Glass” components in SwiftUI/UIKit, making it easier to integrate AI features—with results visible in just a few lines of code.
📱 Supported Devices
iOS 26 will be available on iPhone 11 and newer. iPhone XS/XS Max, XR, and other A12-based devices are no longer supported.
📌 Final Thoughts
iOS 26 is more than a version update—it’s a bold step toward intelligent, design-forward software. Between the Liquid Glass aesthetic, out-of-the-box AI features, and sleek visual overhaul, this update could redefine the iPhone experience. Whether you're a developer exploring the beta or just excited for September, iOS 26 is shaping up to be the most polished release in years.
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