iOS 26 Just Changed the Game with Liquid Glass Design Here’s What’s New
At WWDC 2025, Apple officially unveiled iOS 26, the latest version of its mobile operating system, featuring a visually striking new design language called Liquid Glass. This interface marks Apple’s most significant UI overhaul since iOS 7, aiming to deliver a more immersive, layered, and responsive user experience. Here’s everything you need to know about iOS 26—from supported iPhones to release timelines and standout features.
What is the Liquid Glass Interface?
Liquid Glass is a new way to build the whole system that gives the iOS experience depth and motion. It adds semi-transparent UI elements, visual movements that change based on the current situation, and a flow that makes the interface feel alive. With light effects and patterns that change based on touch, app icons, buttons, and notification bars now look like they are stacked under or on top of a sheet of virtual glass.
This design theory is used on all of Apple’s products, like iPads, Macs, the Apple Watch, and the Apple TV. This gives all of these products a uniform look and feel.
iPhones That Support iOS 26
With the arrival of iOS 26, Apple has tightened hardware requirements. Devices powered by the A13 Bionic chip or newer are eligible. The list of supported iPhones includes:
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
- iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 series, including the newly introduced 16e
Older models such as the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max have been dropped from the compatibility list, aligning with Apple’s push for enhanced performance and AI-driven features.
Apple Intelligence and AI Enhancements
However, many of these features need an A17 Pro chip or later, which means that only devices like the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and 16 Pro can fully support Apple Intelligence. People with A13 to A16 chips will still get iOS 26, but AI features will be limited.
A lot of attention is paid to artificial intelligence in iOS 26. The update, called “Apple Intelligence,” adds advanced features like real-time language translation during calls and texts, a better Siri that can understand what you’re asking for, and creative tools that let you make your own emojis and pictures.
Release Timeline
As of June 2025, the developer version of iOS 26 is already out there. Apple is planning to release a public beta in July so that more people can try out the new features early. The fixed version should go live in September 2025, which is also the month that the iPhone 17 range comes out.
Noteworthy Features Beyond the Interface
- Camera and Photos : iOS 26 introduces a cleaner camera UI and new 3D spatial photo effects. The Photos app now includes a more organized layout with tabs for Library and Collections.
- Messages and Calls : Group chat features are upgraded with custom backgrounds and built-in polling. AI-powered call screening and wait-time alerts offer a smarter phone experience.
- Wallet and CarPlay : Users can now store digital passports in Apple Wallet, while CarPlay gets a simplified, distraction-free interface.
- Gaming Enhancements : A dedicated Games app now serves as a central hub for Apple Arcade and App Store titles, complete with personalized recommendations and Game Center integration.
- Developer Tools : Apple is providing updated APIs for SwiftUI, UIKit, and AppKit to help developers adopt the Liquid Glass look in third-party apps.
Final Thoughts
iOS 26 represents a bold leap forward for Apple’s software ecosystem. With the introduction of the Liquid Glass interface and powerful AI features, the update promises a richer, more intuitive user experience—particularly for those using Pro-tier iPhones. While the design upgrade is available to all supported devices, the full potential of Apple Intelligence is reserved for the latest hardware, reinforcing Apple’s strategy of combining form, function, and cutting-edge technology in its premium models.
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