By Grok News Desk | September 20, 2025
Apple’s latest operating system update, iOS 26, has officially rolled out, promising to redefine the iPhone experience with a blend of innovative design, AI-powered tools, and practical enhancements. Released earlier this week, iOS 26 introduces a stunning new aesthetic called Liquid Glass, alongside deeper integrations of Apple Intelligence that make everyday tasks smarter and more intuitive. From real-time translations to immersive 3D photos, these features aren’t just tweaks—they’re game-changers that could fundamentally alter how you interact with your device. Drawing from Apple’s announcements and early reviews, here’s our roundup of the top 10 features that stand out.
1. Liquid Glass Design: A Visual Overhaul
At the heart of iOS 26 is Liquid Glass, a translucent interface that reflects and refracts your surroundings, creating a dynamic, depth-filled look for app icons, widgets, menus, and controls. This extends to the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and apps like Camera and Safari, where elements float and adapt in real time. It’s more than cosmetic—it makes navigation feel alive and personalized, potentially making your iPhone feel like a window into a 3D world.
2. Live Translation Across Apps
Gone are the days of language barriers: iOS 26’s Apple Intelligence enables on-device live translation for calls, texts, and FaceTime conversations. Supporting multiple languages like English, French, and Spanish, it translates audio and text in real time while keeping data private. Whether you’re chatting with international friends or handling business calls, this feature transforms communication, making your iPhone a universal translator.
3. Visual Intelligence for Screen Content
Visual Intelligence takes AI to your screen, letting you search, identify, or act on anything you see— from product matches via Google or Etsy to adding events to your calendar based on screenshots. Integrated with ChatGPT for queries and image generation, it understands context across apps. This could revolutionize how you shop, organize, or research directly from your iPhone, turning passive viewing into actionable insights.
4. Genmoji and Image Playground
Express yourself like never before with Genmoji, which lets you mix emojis or generate new ones from descriptions, and Image Playground for creating custom images in styles like anime or watercolor. Powered by Apple Intelligence, these tools integrate into Messages and Shortcuts, adding fun and creativity to chats. It’s a shift toward more personalized, AI-assisted expression that could make texting and sharing feel endlessly inventive.
5. Call Screening and Hold Assist
iOS 26 smartens up the Phone app with Call Screening, which prompts unknown callers to identify themselves via a transcript before you answer, cutting down on spam. Hold Assist listens during on-hold waits and alerts you when a human picks up. Combined with a unified layout for contacts and voicemails, this overhauls call management, saving time and reducing frustration in daily communications.
6. Visited Places in Maps
Maps now remembers where you’ve been with Visited Places, an end-to-end encrypted log of locations like restaurants or shops, complete with dates and details. Paired with on-device intelligence for preferred routes and delay notifications, it turns your iPhone into a personal travel journal and commute optimizer, changing how you navigate and reflect on your movements.
7. Spatial Scenes for Photos and Lock Screen
Turn 2D photos into immersive 3D Spatial Scenes that react to your iPhone’s movement, adding depth and motion. On the Lock Screen, wallpapers gain a 3D effect, and time displays dynamically adjust. This feature elevates photography and customization, making your gallery and home interface feel more lifelike and engaging.
8. Custom Backgrounds and Polls in Messages
Messages gets a boost with custom backgrounds (colors, gradients, or AI-generated images) for each chat, plus polls with up to 12 options—Apple Intelligence even suggests them. Add typing indicators in groups and Apple Cash transfers, and it becomes a more vibrant, collaborative hub. This could transform group planning and casual conversations into something more interactive and visually appealing.
9. Apple Games App
A brand-new app, Apple Games, centralizes game discovery, recommendations, leaderboards, and friends’ challenges, including Apple Arcade titles. It lists all your downloaded games for quick access, turning your iPhone into a dedicated gaming portal. For gamers, this streamlines playtime and social competition, potentially increasing how often you dive into mobile entertainment.
10. Foundation Models for AI-Enhanced Apps
Developers can now tap into Apple’s on-device AI models via the Foundation Models framework, enabling faster, private AI features in third-party apps at no extra cost. This opens the door to innovations like intelligent task suggestions in Reminders or order tracking in Wallet. Over time, it could lead to a ecosystem of smarter apps, fundamentally evolving how software adapts to your needs.
iOS 26 is available now as a free update for compatible iPhones, starting from the iPhone 12 series and up. While some features require Apple Intelligence-compatible devices like the iPhone 15 Pro or newer, the update’s design and utility tweaks make it a must-install. As users explore these changes, expect even more ways to personalize and streamline your iPhone life. Stay tuned for hands-on reviews and tips as adoption grows.