The iOS 26 update, scheduled for release on September 15th, promises significant changes and improvements. The update introduces a new design language aiming to unify the user experience across the Apple ecosystem. This new language gives applications and controls a translucent appearance with optical qualities, aiming to provide a sense of fluidity across platforms.
Key new features include a date and time font and design that adapts to the wallpaper. Applications will have a glass-like, translucent look. The home screen will feature redesigned app icons with options for light and dark modes, color tints, and a clear, transparent design.
Control Center elements will respond to their surroundings, refracting colors and shapes. While the design aims for consistency, some users reported difficulties with text readability and icon clarity in beta versions.
Apple Intelligence integration is a major component of iOS 26. This integration offers new intelligence features, such as Live Translation, which can translate text in messages, provide captions during FaceTime calls, and offer spoken translations in the phone application.
New visual intelligence features will allow users to interact directly with displayed content, such as adding details to a photograph or event and adding them to the calendar, or extracting information from an email and converting it into reminders. The system also enables cross-app search and image creation. The Image Playground lets users create customized graphics using a mix of emoji and text descriptions. Personalized emojis further enhance this feature.
Communication tools will be enhanced, including call screening, automatically answering unidentified numbers, or prompting callers to state their name and purpose before connecting. Messages will offer similar screening tools. A Hold and Assist feature will notify users when an agent picks up their call. Enhanced message filtering is also included. Group chats will be able to use polls.
Maps will incorporate increased intelligence, tracking regular travel plans and alerting users about preferred routes. If the travel routine changes, the app will adapt accordingly.
Apple Music will feature an Auto Mix function that seamlessly blends songs, using beat matching and time-stretching, and will also offer lyrics translation for international music.
iOS 26 will be available for iPhone 11 and later models, as well as the second-generation iPhone SE and newer. This includes the iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 series, along with the newly launched iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. Note that availability of features may vary depending on language and regional restrictions.