Apple Unveils Major iOS 26 Redesign: Liquid Glass, Enhanced Visual Intelligence, and More

Apple recently unveiled a host of new features for iOS 26, marking the company’s most significant software redesign since the release of iOS 7. Introduced during the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, these updates are set to be pre-loaded on the iPhone 17 this fall and will also be available as an update for existing iPhones. Here are the top five features that caught our attention: 1. Liquid Glass Design: The most striking change in iOS 26 is the new Liquid Glass design, a translucent, glass-like aesthetic that adapts to different environments based on content and context. This redesign will be applied to various elements across the interface, including switches, sliders, the home screen, and the control center. The design aims to enhance the user experience by providing a more immersive and responsive visual environment. 2. Enhanced Visual Intelligence: For iPhone users whose devices support Apple Intelligence (Apple's advanced AI system), visual intelligence features are getting a significant upgrade. When taking a screenshot, users will now have the option to utilize Visual Intelligence capabilities, such as searching for products on sites like Google and Etsy, asking ChatGPT about content on the screen, or adding events to their calendar with pre-populated details. This enhancement aligns with the growing trend of integrating AI into everyday smartphone functions, similar to Android’s Google Lens. 3. Overhauled Messages App: The Messages app is receiving notable improvements in iOS 26. Typing indicators, previously limited to one-on-one conversations, are now extended to group chats, allowing everyone to see who is typing. Additionally, Venmo users may face some competition, as Apple introduces the ability to request, send, and receive Apple Cash directly within group chats. Users can also create polls and set custom backgrounds using AI-generated images from Apple’s Image Playground. Moreover, the app will allow the creation of Frankenmoji (a combination of multiple emojis) and Genmoji, further personalizing the messaging experience. 4. Call Management Enhancements: The Phone app is undergoing a major revamp with iOS 26. The design integrates call logs, voicemails, and favorites into a unified view, simplifying the interface. A new feature called Call Screening automatically answers unknown calls and transcribes the conversation, helping users identify whether the call is spam. Another useful feature, Hold Assist, detects hold music during customer service calls and keeps the user’s place in line, eliminating the need to wait for an agent manually. 5. Advanced Travel Tools: Apple Maps is getting smarter with new features designed to improve daily commutes and travel experiences. The app will learn users' routines and suggest optimized routes, adapting to changes in real-time. The Visited Places feature will automatically detect and save locations visited, making it easier to recall places like restaurants or stores. For air travelers, boarding passes will have a refreshed look, and the app will provide in-airport directions to gates. Notably, users in nine participating states can now store their digital ID in Apple Wallet, streamlining domestic travel through TSA checkpoints. Industry insiders are buzzing with excitement over these updates. The introduction of Liquid Glass represents a bold step in iOS design, potentially setting new standards for user interfaces. Enhanced Visual Intelligence and improved call management features showcase Apple's commitment to leveraging AI for practical, user-friendly applications. The overhauled Messages app introduces innovative social and financial tools, while the new travel tools aim to significantly reduce friction in daily and travel-related tasks. Apple's continued focus on enhancing user experience and integrating AI is expected to reinforce its position in the competitive tech market. Apple, known for its sleek design and user-centric approach, has once again demonstrated its ability to innovate and meet the evolving needs of its diverse user base. With iOS 26, the company is poised to deliver a more intuitive and efficient operating system, likely to be embraced by both new and existing iPhone users.