Introducing a Refreshed, Glassy Aesthetic with iOS 26 and its 'Liquid Glass' Interface by Apple
At WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled iOS 26, a significant update to its mobile operating system, introducing a new visual design concept called Liquid Glass. This revamp marks Apple's first major interface overhaul for the iPhone in 12 years.
The Liquid Glass design aims to provide a fresh look and feel to the iPhone, with a modern twist that incorporates light reflections and shadows, making buttons and menu bars appear layered on top of content. This design will also be applied across other Apple operating systems, such as macOS and iPadOS.
One of the key areas of focus in iOS 26 is the Phone and Messages apps. The Phone app has been redesigned to allow users to scroll through contacts, recent calls, and voicemail messages on a single screen. It also includes features like Hold Assist, which automatically detects hold music and holds your place during calls. The Messages app is gaining features, including polls, custom backgrounds for group chats, and typing indicators. These updates aim to enhance connections and reduce distractions, similar to features found in chat apps like WhatsApp.
Apple Music, Apple Maps, and a new Games app are also receiving updates. The Music app is being updated with three new features: lyrics translations, lyrics pronunciation, and automix. Apple Maps is improving route management and helping users keep track of visited locations. The Games app is a new addition, centralizing all gaming activities, offering a single destination for players.
Other features in iOS 26 include live translation in FaceTime, Messages, and Phone apps, captive Wi-Fi login sync, and Stage Manager Support, which may introduce a feature similar to Samsung’s Dex, enhancing multitasking on iPhone.
Apple Intelligence is integrated across the system to make tasks easier and more personalized, and all features are built with privacy in mind from the ground up. The camera app now has a more unified experience for shooting, and the Photos app has been made easier to switch between video and still photo modes.
Overall, iOS 26 offers a visually appealing and more intuitive user experience, along with practical updates to core apps and features. This story is still developing, and more details about iOS 26 are expected to be revealed in the coming months.
- In the future, tech enthusiasts at Gizmodo may anticipate the integration of Apple's Liquid Glass design concept across multiple Apple operating systems like macOS and iPadOS, not just on the iPhone.
- As we move forward, the tech community, including smartphone users, can look forward to the new Games app in iOS 26, which centralizes all gaming activities and offers a single destination for players.
- With iOS 26, the future of Apple's technology promises a more personalized user experience, as features such as live translation and captive Wi-Fi login sync are designed with privacy as a priority, reflecting Apple's commitment to user privacy.
