The new features coming to your iPhone in iOS 26 later this year

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 10 June 2025

Apple just announced the next version of the iPhone operating system - iOS 26. You might notice that's a bit of a jump from the current iOS 18.

While not technically a new feature, Apple is unifying its operating system names based on the upcoming year. As such, all of Apple's upcoming releases will be "26". iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.

The big change across the board is a redesigned user interface called "Liquid Glass". This is inspired by the Vision Pro, incorporating more transparency and sheen into Apple's aesthetic. Liquid Glass is being rolled out across every Apple operating system, to give them a consistent look.

iOS 26 should launch in September alongside new iPhones, but a public beta will be available next month. iOS 26 will be available on the iPhone 11 and up.

Liquid Glass

Every Apple software platform is moving to the company's new "Liquid Glass" design. Design elements are curvier, and control elements act as a distinct layer that floats above apps. Navigational elements also shrink when users scroll, to create more room for content.

Liquid Glass is being used across the entire iPhone experience, including the Lock Screen, Home Screen, Control Centre, and in notifications. Camera, Photos, Safari, FaceTime, Apple Music, Apple News, and Apple Podcasts have all been redesigned to take advantage of Liquid Glass elements.

Live Translation

Apple is adding live translation across Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app. Text will be automatically translated in Messages, you can get live capations in FaceTime for video calls, and spoken translations for voice-only calls.

Live captions and call translation will initially be available in Chinese (Simplified), English (UK, U.S.), French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Live translation requires an iPhone 16 device, or an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Messages improvements

On top of live translation, there are a few other improvements to the Messages app. These include polls and typing indicators in group chats, and custom conversation backgrounds.

Call Screening

iOS 26 adds a call screening feature that automatically answers unknown calls. Once the caller shares their name and reason for calling, your iPhone will ring, and you'll be able to decide if you want to pick up or not.

Similarly, text messages from numbers you don't know will be filtered into an "unknown senders" bucket in the Messages app.

Improved Visual Intelligence

Introduced last year alongside the iPhone 16, Visual Intelligence is Apple's take on Google Lens. Initially, it was designed for asking questions and searching the real world, but with iOS 26, you'll also be able to use it on the content of your iPhone screen.

Visual Intelligence works on the iPhone 16 family, and on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

A new Games app

Apple is adding a dedicated Games app in iOS 26. This will track your achievements across titles, given you new game recommendations, and have challenges for competing against friends.

Everything else

iOS 26 has plenty of other features, including:

A designed Photos app that splits your photos and videos into two main tabs: Library and Collections
The ability to start recording videos by pressing and holding the stem on AirPods Pro 4 with ANC or AirPods Pro 2
Apple Maps will learn your preferred routes and prioritise those when giving directions
Apple Maps will be able to remember places you've been
Lyrics translation in Apple Music
Custom Snooze time in the Clock app - you'll be able to snooze between one and 15 minutes
An adaptive power mode that can make your battery last longer when "usage is higher than normal"

Can I update to iOS 26?

Most phones running iOS 18 will be able to upgrade to iOS 26. The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR are the three exceptions.

You'll be able to install iOS 26 on the following iPhones:

iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, Phone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 12, Phone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone SE (2020)

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Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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