Apple Unveils iOS 26 with Liquid Glass Design and Enhanced Intelligence

Lead: Apple released iOS 26 today, September 15, 2025, delivering a striking Liquid Glass interface, advanced call-screening and hold-assist tools, and system-wide AI features including live translation and Visual Intelligence.

Nut Graf: The update marks the biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 and integrates powerful on-device intelligence across core apps. With seamless call management, richer messaging experiences, and adaptive battery management, iOS 26 aims to boost productivity and personalization for iPhone 11 and newer models.

Liquid Glass Redesign

iOS 26 debuts Liquid Glass, a translucent material that reflects and refracts underlying content in real time. Menus, buttons, icons, and widgets dynamically morph to prioritize focus and delight users as they interact with controls and navigation elements.

Smarter Phone and Call Handling

  • Call Screening: Unknown callers are prompted to state their name and purpose before the iPhone rings, reducing spam interruptions.
  • Hold Assist: Automatically remains on hold for you and alerts when an agent is available, saving time and frustration.

Enhanced Messaging Features

  • Conversation Backgrounds: Apply custom or pre-set backgrounds to chats, with all participants seeing the same design.
  • Polls in Group Chats: Quickly create polls to gather opinions without leaving Messages.
  • Unknown Sender Screening: Messages from unrecognized numbers go to a separate folder, silencing unwanted notifications.

On-Device Intelligence and Translation

  • Live Translation: Real-time translation of text and audio in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone for supported languages.
  • Visual Intelligence: Analyze on-screen content-turn lists into Reminders, search images via ChatGPT or Google, or extract dates into Calendar entries.

Adaptive Power and Performance

iOS 26 introduces Adaptive Power Mode (iPhone 15 Pro and newer), which dynamically adjusts performance, display brightness, and automatically enables Low Power Mode at 20% battery to extend runtime without manual intervention.

Expanded App Updates

  • Apple Music: Lyrics translation and pronunciation, plus personalized automixing for seamless playback.
  • Maps: “Visited Places” library and proactive route delay alerts.
  • Wallet: Order tracking and digital IDs for U.S. passports.
  • Apple Games App: Centralized hub for game discovery, cross-device progress, and friends’ activities.

Release and Compatibility

The global rollout commenced at 10:00 a.m. PDT today, and the update supports iPhone 11 series and newer devices via Settings → General → Software Update.

Apple’s iOS 26 delivers a cohesive new aesthetic and deepens device intelligence, promising a more intuitive and personalized iPhone experience.