Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 has concluded, unveiling the next generation of its mobile operating system, iOS 26. The event showcased a host of innovative features and a stunning new user interface (UI) dubbed "Liquid Glass," signaling a significant shift in Apple's design philosophy.

The most striking aspect of iOS 26 is undoubtedly the Liquid Glass UI. Inspired by the translucency and dynamic elements of visionOS, Apple's operating system for the Vision Pro headset, Liquid Glass brings a fresh, glass-like aesthetic to iPhones and iPads. App icons, toolbars, and other UI elements now feature a translucent design, creating a sense of depth and allowing the background to subtly influence their appearance. This extends to the lock screen, which showcases a time and date widget crafted from Liquid Glass.

Beyond its visual appeal, Liquid Glass also introduces real-time physics and dynamic responsiveness. UI elements react to user interactions, jiggling and moving with finger movements. The interface adapts to different lighting conditions and supports light and dark modes, ensuring a consistent and visually pleasing experience across various environments. Apple emphasizes that Liquid Glass aims to present more information at a glance without overwhelming users or requiring them to relearn familiar interactions. Some observers have drawn parallels between Liquid Glass and the "Aero" interface of Windows Vista, noting the shared emphasis on transparency and glass-like effects.

iOS 26 brings significant enhancements to core applications. The Phone app receives a unified layout, consolidating Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail into a single view. Voicemail summaries, powered by Apple Intelligence, provide quick insights into messages. A new Call Screening feature automatically answers calls from unknown numbers, displaying the caller's purpose on the screen, allowing users to decide whether to answer. Hold Assist is designed to notify users when a live agent becomes available, potentially eliminating the frustration of extended hold times.

The Messages app gains new customization options, including the ability to set background images for group chats. Users can now create polls within group conversations and send or receive Apple Cash. Enhanced spam detection filters incoming messages, directing potential spam and messages from unknown senders to a dedicated tab, minimizing unwanted interruptions.

The Camera app features a streamlined interface with easily accessible photo and video capture toggles. The Photos app reintroduces the Library and Collections tabs for easier navigation. Users can now experience their photos in a stunning 3D effect, extending across the Photos app, lock screen, and home screen.

Apple is also integrating translation tools more deeply into iOS 26. Live translation for text and audio will be available in phone calls, FaceTime, and Messages, powered by on-device models. This feature promises to be a significant boon for users communicating across language barriers.

Recognizing the increasing importance of mobile gaming, Apple is introducing a dedicated Games app. This new hub provides a central location for users to access their game library, discover new titles, and manage multiplayer experiences. The Games app will also support controller integration and features designed to turn single-player games into group challenges.

CarPlay receives a design overhaul, extending the Liquid Glass aesthetic to the in-car experience. The updated interface features redesigned icons, a compact call display, and widgets for quick access to information. Apple Maps can now learn preferred routes, provide travel time estimates, and maintain a history of visited locations (with user permission).

The updates to Apple Intelligence also include Visual Intelligence which expands to the iPhone screen, and allows for screenshot search across apps, or to call up ChatGPT.

iOS 26 marks a significant evolution in Apple's mobile operating system, blending a visually striking new design with a range of practical features and enhancements. The Liquid Glass UI promises a more immersive and dynamic user experience, while the updates to core apps and the introduction of new features like the Games app aim to enhance productivity and entertainment.