iOS 26: Apple’s Bold New Era with Revolutionary Liquid Glass Design

A New Chapter in iPhone Software

Apple Inc. is planning the most sweeping change yet to its operating system names, part of a software overhaul that extends to all its devices. iOS 26 is the next version of iOS, featuring an all-new Liquid Glass design. The jump from iOS 18 to iOS 26 reflects Apple’s new approach to operating system naming, with the ’26’ representing the release season between September 2025 and September 2026.

Revolutionary Design Overhaul

The new Liquid Glass material has transformed the look of the iPhone’s software. This translucent interface allows light and color to shine through, putting the focus on content displayed on your iPhone’s screen. The design behaves like real glass, subtly reflecting light when you move your iPhone.

Enhanced Features and Capabilities

iOS 26 introduces innovative features like 3D effect capabilities for Home Screen wallpapers, making subjects appear to pop out of the screen as users move their phones. A new energy-saving feature called Adaptive Power has been introduced for periods of higher device usage, making minor adjustments without blocking background activities like the traditional low power mode.

Launch Date and Device Compatibility

The final version of iOS 26 will be available to the public on September 15. All iPhones released since 2019 will be able to install iOS 26, including iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd gen) and later. However, some advanced features, particularly Apple Intelligence features, will require an Apple A17 Pro processor or newer.

Unified Experience Across Devices

The new design extends to all of Apple’s operating systems, including iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26. With the same design available across all of Apple’s operating systems, everything feels more cohesive, which was one of Apple’s main goals with Liquid Glass.