It is that time of year again – Apple just took the wraps off iOS 26 during its WWDC event. And while the update won't hit your iPhone until later this year (most likely alongside the iPhone 17 lineup in the fall), we already know what is coming. And the standout change? A bold new design.
iOS 26 is a big update that brings a new design. | Image credit – Apple
When the original iPhone launched nearly 20 years ago, Apple's software was built to look familiar. Notes looked like a yellow legal pad and Maps felt like a folded-up paper map. The design helped users understand how to use the touchscreen before it became second nature.
But by 2013, Apple ditched that look with iOS 7. That update introduced a flat, minimal aesthetic made for the digital age – no more fake textures or real-world references. It was all about color, transparency and simplicity.
Now, more than a decade later, Apple is doing it again with another major design overhaul in iOS 26 – and across the board in iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS 26, visionOS 26, tvOS 26 and CarPlay.
The new design is happening across the board. | Image credit – Apple
Oh, and about that name – yep, Apple's ditching the old version number system. So, instead of calling it iOS 19, it is now going with iOS 26, which lines up with the release year – or, more accurately, the year ahead.
OK, back to the design. It is called Liquid Glass and brings a glassy, almost futuristic vibe to everything. Think transparency, shine and a more immersive, unified look that echoes the aesthetic of visionOS, the software behind Apple's Vision Pro headset.
The new design is more transparent. | Image credit – Apple
This translucent material reflects and refracts your surroundings to make the whole interface feel more dynamic and immersive. And Liquid Glass isn’t just limited to one area – it is all over the system.
From controls and navigation to app icons and widgets, everything now feels more vibrant and fluid. On the Home Screen and Lock Screen, this new style unlocks more ways to personalize your setup with customizable app icons and widgets that now come in a sleek, clear look.
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The new Liquid Glass design makes your Home and Lock Screens more personal, adding fresh customization for app icons and widgets with a sleek clear look. | Image credit – Apple
The Lock Screen also gets smarter and more animated. The clock now adjusts its position automatically to fit your wallpaper and new spatial wallpapers react to your movement, creating a 3D-like effect as you tilt your iPhone. It is subtle but adds a whole new layer of personality.
Apple introduced Liquid Glass with its new iOS 26. | Image credit – Apple
Moreover, apps across the system are getting design upgrades, too. The Camera app is now more streamlined, so you can focus better when snapping a photo.
The Camera app is redesigned with Liquid Glass in mind. | Image credit – Apple
The Photos app now splits content into Library and Collections tabs, making it easier to browse. Safari has a cleaner feel, with webpages flowing seamlessly from top to bottom while still keeping key controls like refresh and search within reach.
Safari now scrolls edge to edge, showing more of the page while keeping key actions within reach. | Image credit – Apple
Even Apple Music, News and Podcasts get a refreshed look – the tab bar now floats above your content, gets out of the way when you scroll, and reappears when you scroll back up.
This update is all about giving iOS a fresh new feel while keeping the familiar experience users already love – just more polished and a lot more expressive.
In short, here's what is changing in iOS 26:
Toolbars, tabs and in-app elements now use light, glass-like transparency.
App icons and widgets get a fresh redesign to match the new style.
Safari's address bar goes translucent.
The Camera app has also been revamped to align with the glass-inspired look.
Pop-out menus are now a big focus, making navigation feel more dynamic.
The new design responds in real time to what you do on your phone.
It intelligently adapts between dark and light environments.
But why is Apple redesigning now?
Just like flat design was rolled out alongside new hardware like the Apple Watch and larger iPhones, the Liquid Glass look is setting the stage for what's next – and that includes a big 2027 release.
Apple is reportedly working on a major iPhone redesign to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original model. Internally, it's being called "Glasswing," inspired by the butterfly with transparent wings. This future iPhone is expected to go all in on the glass aesthetic, possibly featuring wraparound glass sides, ultra-thin bezels and a display free of notches or cutouts.
So yeah, iOS 26 isn't just a software refresh – it's Apple laying the groundwork for the next era of iPhone design.
Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
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