Apple redesigns the new iOS 26 with a Liquid Glass

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) began with a keynote speech from CEO Tim Cook at 1 p.m. ET. Cook has unveiled several new features, including Apple Intelligence and a new Liquid Glass-centered unified design refresh of iOS 26. Apple Intelligence is the AI feature offered on the iPhone, iPad, and other devices.

The tech giant has unveiled iOS 26, which features liquid glass and see-through visuals of a glassy surface. The upcoming iPhone releases will expand the glass concept, with curved sides around the entire phone, even at the edges. Apple’s iOS updates will be numbered based on the year in the upcoming updates, just like car makers do with new car releases.

Apple redesigns the new iOS 26 with a Liquid Glass 

Multiple elements of iOS 26 have received updates from the previous iOS 18. The time on the user lock screen can stretch to fill more of the screen, and the camera app has a sleeker layout. Edge to edge and the tab bar floats over your content in the Safari webpages.

Apple’s intelligent AI features have received tools that improve writing, such as Genmoji for custom emoji and integration with ChatGPT. Significant updates on their Siri-like ability to take action based on what it could see on your phone have also been unveiled. Siri has been enhanced to understand your needs and preferences. Apple iOS 26 has been enhanced with a live translation mechanism powered by Apple intelligence to give users real-time translation in conversations.

The new design has improved the Phone app, including a screening feature that can answer calls on your behalf and handle calls when you are on hold. The Message app has received customized backgrounds; users can add their own images or photos generated by Image Playground.

Apple Music has received lyrics translation and pronunciation. AutoMix can transition songs from one to another like a DJ, and users can pin their favorite artists and playlists to the top of the app. The tech giant has also introduced a game-centered app where users can access the App Store games downloaded and played in the Apple Arcade.  

iOS 26 will use Visual Intelligence to learn about what’s on your phone screen. Users can take a screenshot of an event and add it to their calendar using Visual Intelligence. Apple Maps will learn and offer preferred routes if there are delays on that route. Apple Wallet will be able to create a digital ID for users, refresh boarding passes, and allow users to access indoor maps of the airport.

iOS 26 comes with improvements to tvOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26, and WatchOS 26 

The tech giant unveiled watchOS 26 along with macOS 26, iPadOS 26, and TVOS 26 at WWDC 2025. Like iOS 26, watchOS 26 has been updated with Liquid Glass, Apple’s new transparent design language. It has been integrated with the AI-powered Workout Buddy feature, which gives users pep talks during exercises. The transparent aesthetic will apply to widgets, notifications, the Control Center, and in-app controls. 

WatchOS has been enhanced with a notification management system. A flick of the wrist dismisses notifications or incoming calls. The OS can track ambient noise and adjust the volume of notifications and incoming calls to match. The Workout Buddy feature uses fitness data to update users on personalized insights and advice.

The tvOS 26 features a Liquid Glass aesthetic and the ability for users to quickly enter their user profile. The tvOS will present a profile option each time it wakes from sleep, making it easy for users to resume watching their selected shows. The tvOS 26 has received a new API for developers that links app logins to an Apple Account, simplifying users’ sign-in process when setting up a new device.

Further releases have been made across iPadOS 26 and macOS 26, focusing on the Liquid Glass design for the rest of their updates. Tim Cook says this is their all-time major release since the previous iOS 18.