iOS 26 features a visionOS-inspired “Liquid Glass” UI and floating tab bars in Safari.
Live Translation enables real-time multilingual conversations across FaceTime, calls, and messages.
Users can now create digital IDs in Apple Wallet and track orders using Apple Intelligence.
Apple officially announced iOS 26 as the next major software update for iPhones at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2025). The iOS 26 is inspired by visionOS and has received a significant design overhaul under the new “Liquid Glass” visual language.
Breaking away from the traditional numbering sequence, Apple has decided to name future iOS versions after the year they were announced. So, if you’ve been hoping for iOS 19, you won’t get it.
Apple is introducing a slew of UI improvements with iOS 26. The lockscreen clock now spans the entire display, Safari now supports edge-to-edge browsing with a floating tab bar, and the Camera app has a cleaner, more streamlined interface with fewer on-screen controls.
Speaking of features, the update will include a number of new add-ons, such as the ability for the phone app to support call screening, which enables the device to answer calls or put users on hold. Upgrades to the Messages app include the ability to view typing indicators, create polls in group chats, and add custom or AI-generated backgrounds. Additionally, the company is improving Genmoji by adding features like the ability to combine two emoji to create a new one.
Additionally, the company unveiled Live Translation, a brand-new function driven by Apple Intelligence models on-device. It makes it possible to translate languages in real time while having a conversation via FaceTime, phone calls, or messages. Additionally, developers will be able to use an API to incorporate Live Translation into apps developed by third parties.
Apple Maps can now identify users’ favourite routes and proactively notify them of traffic or delays. Additionally, users will be able to easily share locations with friends by revisiting previous destinations.
Apple’s Visual Intelligence features in iOS 26 will allow users to interact with what is on their screen using on-device AI. The users will be able to take the screenshot and identify items like clothes, add events or ask ChatGPT for details.
Users will be able to create a digital ID in Apple Wallet. Additionally, Apple Pay will now use Apple Intelligence to track orders placed even outside of the Apple Pay ecosystem, and boarding passes will be updated to include access to indoor airport maps.
However, Apple has confirmed that the advanced Siri capabilities will be delayed and we will have to wait for a few more months to get our hands on the on-screen awareness and more.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
