iOS 26 Features Unveiled: Top Features, Liquid Glass Design & Apple Intelligence Magic

Apple’s iOS 26, launching later this year, introduces a transformative blend of design and intelligence under the tagline “New look. Even more magic.” Compatible with iPhone 11 to iPhone 16 series and SE (2nd gen and later), this update redefines user experience with stunning visuals and smart tools. Below are the key iOS 26 features with their highlights.

iOS 26 Features

Liquid Glass Design: A Fluid New Aesthetic

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Liquid Glass brings a glass-like, fluid design to the Lock Screen, Home Screen, Control Center, and apps. The Lock Screen dynamically adapts time displays to photo wallpapers, with a 3D effect on tilt (iPhone 12+). App icons offer light, dark, tinted, or clear styles that refract against wallpapers, while controls in apps like Apple Music morph to enhance immersion. This cohesive look ensures seamless transitions across Apple devices.

Visual Intelligence: Smarts on Your Screen

Available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series (iOS 18.2+), Visual Intelligence lets you search screen content, add calendar events, or ask questions about images, like browsing Etsy lamps. Powered by Apple Intelligence, it streamlines tasks across apps for effortless productivity.

Live Translation: Break Language Barriers

Live Translation supports Messages, FaceTime, and Phone (select languages like English, Spanish, Japanese) on compatible devices. Automatically translate texts, display captions, or get spoken translations during calls, making cross-language communication seamless.

Enhanced Communication: Less Noise, More Fun

Call Screening filters unknown callers by requesting their name and purpose before ringing you. Messages introduces polls for group decisions, custom backgrounds (built-in or personal photos), and spam-filtering for unknown senders. Hold Assist waits on hold during calls, notifying you when an agent is ready.

Creative Expression: Genmoji and Image Playground

Apple Intelligence fuels Image Playground and Genmoji, letting you mix emojis, use ChatGPT styles, or create personalized images of friends and family. Shortcuts gain intelligent actions to summarize text or generate responses, boosting creativity and efficiency.

Smarter Discovery: Navigate and Enjoy

Maps learns your routes, alerting you to delays. Apple Music’s AutoMix DJs song transitions, and Lyrics Translation decodes foreign lyrics. Wallet tracks bags and shares flight info, while the Games app offers tailored recommendations and friend challenges.

Additional Features: Accessibility and Beyond

Accessibility includes Braille-focused tools and Vehicle Motion Cues to reduce motion sickness. Family controls simplify Child Accounts with enhanced safety. Photos sports a new layout with 3D effects, Reminders suggests tasks, and Journal supports multiple entries with map views. AirPods enable high-quality audio recording and camera remote functions. CarPlay adds Tapbacks and Live Activities.