iOS 26 Features, Design Changes & Apple Intelligence – Full Review

Apple’s latest update iOS 26 is the most transformative updates the users have received recently. iOS 26 includes new Liquid Glass design, deeper Apple Intelligence (AI) integration, improved iPhone Messages, Maps, CarPlay, and a new Games app which make this update a necessity for iPhone users.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discover all the major new iOS 26 features, Apple Intelligence iPhone, Liquid Glass iOS, iOS 26 review, new iOS update features what they mean for you, and whether you should update now.

What’s New in iOS 26 Features Update?

Apple newly introduced iOS 26 update covers:

• A Liquid Glass design

  
  

• Powerful Apple Intelligence features

  
  

• New Apple Games app

  
  

• Upgrades to Phone, Messages, Maps, Music, Wallet, Safari, and CarPlay

  
  

• Better privacy controls

  
  

• Enhanced accessibility tools

  
  

• Improvements for AirPods

1. Liquid Glass: New Look under iOS 26 Update

This new Liquid Glass design brings a glowing, glossy aesthetic that makes the system feel more fluid and premium.

Liquid Glass feature includes the following changes:

• Glowing iPhone icons and buttons

  
  

• Deflective effects that swing with motion

  
  

• A floating tab bar in apps like Apple Music and News

  
  

• Adaptive iPhone Lock Screen where the clock balances naturally with wallpapers

  
  

• Innovative wallpapers designed for deepness and animation

  
  

• The reformed Camera app, now simpler with a clean two-mode interface for both the Photo and Video

  
  

This new UI feels faster, lighter, and more innovative — perfect for users looking for a visual refresh.

2. Apple Intelligence: Smarter, Private, On-Device AI

Apple Intelligence (AI) is the major functional upgrade under iOS 26. This is Apple’s privacy-focused, device-powered artificial intelligence system.

Live Translation during Calls, Messages & FaceTime

You can now translate conversations in real time — both text and audio while making calls, messages and also during video call through FaceTime. This will definitely help you for:

• Better understanding during international calls

  
  

• Multilingual chats

  
  

• Traveling in a foreign country

  
  

Don’t worry about your privacy, translations on device and conversation are fully stay private and end-to-end encrypted.

Image Playground & Genmoji

iOS 26 allows you to create custom emojis or simple AI images in lieu. Apple has manufactured this feature directly into iPhone which will be helpful for social media posts, messaging, or inventive work.

• Genmoji lets you design your own emoji-like stickers

  
  

• Image Playground generates artwork, illustrations, or icons from text prompts

  
  

Visual Intelligence

This feature studies what’s on your screen and helps you take appropriate action such as:

• Scan screenshots and extract dates or addresses

  
  

• Identify objects and suggest actions (such as “add to Calendar”)

  
  

• Directly ask AI about what happening on screen

  
  

Automatic online Order Tracking

You can now track your shipment and no need to search through mails. After iOS 26 upgrade, your iPhone detects shipment updates from any email or service.

3. Phone App Developments

iOS 26 familiarizes with a cleaner, smarter Phone app. These ate the important features added in this new update:

Unified Call Dashboard

Favourites, Recent, Contacts, and Voicemails are now effortlessly combined in just one view.

Call Screening

Call screening is another innovative feature under this new version which let you know:

• Who is calling

• Why they’re calling

• Whether the call appears authentic

You can now win against spam call and messages.

Hold Assist

If you're stuck on hold, Hold Assist will help in the following aspects:

• Listen on your behalf

  
  

• Notify you when a human agent returns

  
  

No more waiting forever.

4. Messaging Gets a Huge Upgrade under iOS 26 Features Update

iPhone message app is now with a new look and new hidden features which covers: -

Filter Unknown Sender

This newest update keep your iPhone inbox clean, Unknown or spam numbers are automatically moved to a separate folder.

Custom Chat Backgrounds

Under iOS 26 upgrade, you have option to choose unique and different backgrounds for individual chats.

Group Polls & Typing Indicators

iPhone users can enjoy group polls directly inside iPhone Messages App. Group chats also backs typing indicators to show who’s typing.

Apple Cash in Group Chats

Send or request money inside group conversations. Great for splitting bills, travel, or gifts.

5. CarPlay: Cleaner, Smarter & Safer

CarPlay having more features which makes your iPhone smarter, cleaner and even safer for users. For drivers, this is one of the biggest CarPlay updates ever.

Key features include:

• Condensed call notifications will no more block your map

  
  

• Pinned conversations for quick access

  
  

• Availability of Tapbacks from CarPlay

  
  

• Extra Sustenance for Live Activities and widgets

  
  

• CarPlay Ultra for supported vehicles that having a deeper integration with climate settings, radio, and more

  
  

6. Apple Music Upgrades

Music lovers get quite a lot of new features under this new update:

AutoMix (AI DJ)

Creates DJ-style transitions between songs using beat-matching.

Lyrics Translation

Translate lyrics in real time which is ideal for songs other than English language.

Lyrics Pronunciation Tool

Ideal for singing, language learning, or even karaoke.

Pinned Music

You can now easily Pin favorite playlists, artists, or albums at the top of your iPhone Music library.

7. Maps: Smarter & More Private

iOS 26 improves Apple Maps with the following key features:

Visited Places Log

Your iPhone automatically logs locations you visit. These logs are even more private, Encrypted and Easy to delete anytime.

Preferred Routes

Your iPhone studies your favorite commute and notifies you about delays automatically.

8. Wallet: More Useful Than Ever

The Wallet app gets enhanced features with iOS 26 updates Whether you're shopping or traveling, Wallet becomes a true one-stop center.

These includes:

• Tracking Order from any email

  
  

• Live boarding pass updates with gate or delay notifications

  
  

• New payment options like special rewards or installment choices in supported regions

  
  

9. The New Apple Games App

If you play games regularly even casually, the new Apple Game App is extremely valuable. A brand-new app focused entirely on gaming.

Features include:

• A central place for all games

  
  

• Game Center integration

  
  

• Apple Arcade discovery

  
  

• Easy access to friends, groups, and achievements

  
  

• Game news and special events

  
  

10. Accessibility: Big Improvements for Everyone

Apple regularly makes Accessibility feature more comprehensive and fruitful for iPhone users and the same tradition has been kept in mind while upgrading iOS 26. iOS 26 is the best accessible iOS versions ever released.

Major key feature upgrades include:

• Accessibility Reader – changeable reading modes

  
  

• Braille Access – improved Braille device support

  
  

• Live Listen – enhanced hearing support

  
  

• Personal Voice – faster, more natural voice in more languages has been created

  
  

• Sound Recognition – detects significant environmental sounds

  
  

11. Safari: Faster, Cleaner, More Private

iPhone Safari Browser App receives a large of updates under iOS 26. Some important features include:

Floating Tab Bar Options

After iOS 26 upgradation, iPhone user will get three option to view their browser such as Compact, Top & Bottom.

Global Fingerprint Protection

Previously available only in Private Browsing but now system-wide.

Better Web Apps

Websites added to the Home Screen now behave more like real apps:

• Full-screen mode

  
  

• Appear in App Switcher

  
  

• Clean interface without Safari elements

  
  

12. AirPods Features in iOS 26

If you have purchased newer AirPods models after iOS 26 update released, you’ll find these innovative key features in Airpods.

1. Studio-Quality Audio Recording

Voice isolation removes background noise, ideal for creators.

2. AirPods Camera Remote

Press and hold your AirPods stem to take a photo or start video recording.

3. Live Translation Support

Hear AI-powered translations directly in your earbuds.

How to Safely Update to iOS 26

• Backup your iPhone (iCloud or computer)

• Charge iPhone at least 50%

• Go to Settings → General → Software Update

• Download & install

  
  

Final Thoughts

iOS 26 is large & Smarter than ever with a stunning new Liquid Glass design, privacy-focused Apple Intelligence features, and massive updates across Messages, Phone, Maps, and Music; it’s a reinvention of the iPhone experience.

FAQ

Which iPhones support iOS 26?

iOS 26 is available for iPhone 11 series and newer and Exact compatibility may vary depending on region and features.

What should I do before updating to iOS 26?

Backup iPhone to iCloud or computer, Free at least 6–10GB of storage, Charge your iPhone above 50% and Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network