Say Hello to iOS 26: Apple’s Biggest iPhone Redesign Since iOS 7

Apple has unveiled iOS 26, a sweeping update that marks the iPhone’s most significant visual overhaul since the introduction of flat design in iOS 7. Announced during the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2025), the update blends a new aesthetic language with functional upgrades, including smarter communication tools, AI enhancements, and improved travel utilities.

Here’s what’s coming to your iPhone later this year—and why it might be worth downloading the beta early.

Photo via Apple // iOS 26 is about to bring a beautiful and fresh design to hundreds of millions of iPhone users around the world.

1. A New Look

The centerpiece of iOS 26 is Liquid Glass, Apple’s new design language inspired by the visual style of visionOS. Translucent, adaptive UI elements now “behave like real glass,” dynamically responding to movement and content.

This real-time rendering approach reshapes everything from sliders and switches to Control Center and Home Screen widgets. It's not limited to iPhones either—Liquid Glass will roll out across macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS this fall.

Photo via Apple // Apple's new iOS 26 has a totally new look, while also feeling instantly familiar.

It’s Apple’s biggest software redesign since 2013.— Apple CEO Tim Cook at WWDC 2025

2. Smarter Messages & Group Chats

iOS 26 also introduces long-requested enhancements to the Messages app. For the first time, typing indicators (the familiar three-dot bubble) are coming to group chats.

Other upgrades include:

• Polls within group conversations
• Custom chat backgrounds via presets or Apple's AI image generator, Image Playground
• Apple Cash support for sending and receiving money within group threads
• Genmoji, which lets users create new emoji from text descriptions or by merging existing ones

These additions align Messages more closely with modern chat platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.

3. A Redesigned Phone

The Phone app receives a major functional redesign in iOS 26. Instead of siloed tabs, favorites, recent calls, and voicemails now appear in a unified feed.

Key new features:

• Call Screening uses AI to answer unknown calls on your behalf and show a live transcript
• Hold Assist detects hold music and waits for you during customer service calls
• Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence, can translate calls in real time—available across Phone, FaceTime, and Messages

These tools echo features seen on Pixel phones but are now tightly integrated into the Apple ecosystem.

4. Visual Intelligence (and more)

iPhones running Apple Intelligence will gain Visual Intelligence, allowing users to act on-screen content. For example, when taking a screenshot of a product, the system can instantly search platforms like Google or Etsy for similar items.

It also supports:

• Adding calendar events with auto-filled date, time, and location
• Asking ChatGPT about visible content
• Creating Shortcuts powered by on-device AI models

While Google Lens users may find this familiar, Apple’s approach emphasizes on-device privacy.

5. Smarter Travel & Apple Maps

Apple Maps becomes more proactive in iOS 26. It can now learn your daily routines and suggest optimal routes accordingly. A new Visited Places feature keeps a record of locations you've been to—useful when you want to revisit that restaurant you forgot the name of.

For air travel:

• Boarding passes now include enhanced designs with in-airport navigation
• In nine U.S. states, Apple Wallet supports Digital ID for TSA checkpoints and age verification

Apple says digital ID will work “in apps and in person where age and identity verification are required.”

Photo via Apple // From Apple. Here are some of the new features and design updates in iOS 26.

How to Install iOS 26? Beta and Release Timeline

Apple plans to release iOS 26 this fall as a free update for all compatible iPhones—from the iPhone SE (2nd gen) through the latest iPhone 16 models.

A developer beta is available now via the Apple Developer Program, which no longer requires a paid subscription. A public beta is expected in July.

Note: Betas can be buggy. Users should back up their devices and understand the risk before installing iOS 26 ahead of its official release.

How to install the iOS 26 Developer Beta:

1. Sign up for a free Apple Developer account at developer.apple.com
2. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates
3. Select iOS 26 Developer Beta
4. Return to the previous menu and tap Download and Install

If the beta doesn’t appear, try restarting your device.

Supported Devices

Which devices support iOS 26?

The iOS 26 update will be available on the following iPhones:

Final Thoughts

iOS 26 represents more than just a fresh coat of paint. Apple’s emphasis on personalization, intelligence, and streamlined utility suggests a clear pivot toward AI-enhanced productivity without compromising privacy.

The new Liquid Glass aesthetic will draw attention, but it’s the under-the-hood intelligence and daily-use refinements—like call screening and better group messaging—that may truly reshape how you use your iPhone.

With the public beta only weeks away, adventurous users will soon be able to experience Apple’s next chapter firsthand.

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Flynn Lo Faro

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Flynn has been covering technology for over a decade, with a deep focus on all things Apple. As the Editor-in-Chief of Apple Scoop, Flynn ensures the team delivers the most accurate and up-to-date information on Apple news, rumors, and product releases. His passion for tech journalism and editorial expertise guide the site’s vision and maintain its high standards.

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