Apple’s iOS 26 public beta, released on July 24, 2025, marks a transformative chapter for iPhone users, introducing a visually striking Liquid Glass design and a suite of intelligent features that elevate the user experience. This update, the most significant since iOS 7, reimagines the iPhone’s interface while integrating advanced AI and practical enhancements to make daily interactions more intuitive, expressive, and seamless.
The centerpiece of iOS 26 is the Liquid Glass design, a translucent, glass-inspired aesthetic that behaves like real-world glass, reflecting and refracting light based on device movement. This dynamic interface spans the Home Screen, Lock Screen, Control Center, and apps like Camera, Photos, and Apple Music. App icons can now adopt an “All Clear” look, giving them a layered, glass-like depth that adds a modern, cohesive feel across the system.
Navigation elements, such as tab bars, shrink during scrolling to prioritize content and expand fluidly when needed, ensuring accessibility without clutter. Users can adjust transparency via Accessibility settings, addressing legibility concerns from earlier betas, making the interface both beautiful and functional.
Apple Intelligence powers several standout features, enhancing productivity and engagement. Notification summaries for news articles provide concise overviews, though Apple now includes a warning to verify information after past inaccuracies.
The Messages app introduces polls for iMessage group chats, typing indicators, and customizable background textures, making group conversations more interactive and personalized. Genmoji, an AI-driven feature, lets users combine emojis for unique expressions, adding a playful touch to communication.
The Camera app’s redesigned interface simplifies shooting with just Photo and Video modes displayed initially, while swiping or tapping reveals advanced settings like aspect ratios and timers, catering to both casual and advanced photographers.
Other enhancements include AutoMix for Apple Music, which automates playlist transitions for a smoother listening experience, and an AI-powered Shortcuts app that suggests automations based on user habits. The Games app consolidates all App Store games, supports controllers, and offers leaderboards for single-player challenges, transforming the iPhone into a gaming hub.
Visual Intelligence now extends to screenshots, suggesting actions based on content, such as extracting text or identifying objects, streamlining tasks like saving contact details from a photo.
For AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 users, iOS 26 enables camera shutter control via the Camera app and studio-quality audio for voice recordings, enhancing creative workflows. Call Screening, inspired by Google’s Pixel, answers unknown calls in the background, reducing interruptions while keeping users informed. These features collectively make iOS 26 a powerhouse of usability, blending aesthetic innovation with practical tools that adapt to user needs.
By enrolling in the Apple Beta Software Program, users can test these features ahead of the official September 2025 launch. Backing up devices is crucial due to potential beta bugs, but the preview offers a glimpse into a more vibrant, intelligent iPhone experience.
