Since the announcement on June 9th, 2025, fans worldwide have been anticipating the nineteenth and the next major release of Apple’s iOS. Contrary to the conventional naming approach, the next version is named iOS 26, and marks a major design change after iOS 7.
This article will delve into the latest information on iOS 26’s release date, its exceptional features, changes in design, and additional updates. It will also provide a detailed comparison between iOS 18 and 26.
What’s New in iOS 26?
iOS 26’s primary focus is on design, in which we are introduced to a new design language called Liquid Glass. Apart from that, the new upgrade is filled with various AI-powered features such as providing live translations across apps, converting your 2D photos into 3D, and numerous visual intelligence additions.
Apple Intelligence automates specific tasks by learning about the working behaviour of the user, allowing easy creation of images, texts, and videos. It will also have Call Screening and Hold Assist features in the Phone app, custom background generation through Image Playground integration, and AI-powered summarisation options.
iOS 26 Release Date
In the past, Apple has usually released public beta versions of iOS 26 in the first week of July. However, it will not happen this year; instead, we will likely see the iOS 26 public beta release around mid-July 2025. Then, what about the main version’s release?
In the past, major releases have been in September, including the iOS 18 release on September 16th, 2024, and iOS 17’s release on September 18th, 2023. If this pattern continues, we can expect the full release in mid-September.
Why the Jump From iOS 18 to 26?
An obvious doubt is why 26? Why not the 19? What happened to the numbers between 18 and 26? Apple is trying to deviate from its conventional naming process and is getting inspiration from car manufacturers. Similar to cars, Apple decided to add a year to its products, starting from 2026.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president, stated that their release for the fall that would power them through the coming year 2026 would be version 26. So, all the coming products will end with 26, including iOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS 26, visionOS 26, iPadOS 26, and tvOS 26.
iOS 18 vs 26: Detailed Comparison
Beyond the Liquid Glass language, a new type of design language that allows the icons and menus to look like glass pieces, various developments are in utility and design. Some of the important ones are listed below.
| Feature | iOS 18 | iOS 26 |
| Design Language | Standard iOS design | Liquid Glass with transparency |
| Home Screen | Opaque dock and search bar | Transparent dock and search bar |
| Lock Screen Clock | Static | Dynamically resizes |
| Notifications | Opaque background | Near-transparent background |
| Tab Bars | Static design | Dynamic, context-aware tabs |
| Messages UI | Top-aligned search and new message button | Bottom-aligned for better thumb access |
| Reminders Visuals | Standard iOS look | Liquid Glass integration |
| Message Backgrounds | No built-in background customization | New background options introduced |
Final Thoughts: Should You Update?
So far, the iOS 26 developer beta 3 updates show that there is a significant difference between the previous versions. Even if you are not interested in the new design, you should update to keep up with the latest security upgrades. However, the public beta version will be risky, and waiting for the release of the full version will be a good decision if you are sceptical.
Finally, Apple has elevated the iPhone experience with its iOS 26, and this will be reflected not only in all Apple products but on other phone companies as well. While the release date of mid-July is confirmed, the exact date is yet to be revealed by the developers.
