Apple has just released iOS 26, the biggest update for iPhones this year. This new version is packed with exciting features that change how your iPhone looks and works.
Whether you have the latest iPhone or a model from a few years ago, iOS 26 brings useful improvements to make your phone smarter and more fun. Here are the top 10 features of iOS 26 and why you might want to upgrade.
1. Liquid Glass Design
iOS 26 introduces a fresh new look called Liquid Glass. This design makes your phone’s screen look like it's made of glass that changes and moves as you touch and swipe. The buttons and icons are translucent and can reflect light in a beautiful way.
It’s not just stylish, it makes your iPhone feel smooth and lively. This new look works across the Lock Screen, Home Screen, and other parts of the phone.
2. Dynamic Lock Screen
Your Lock Screen in iOS 26 is smarter. The clock moves automatically so it won’t cover important parts of your background photo. When you move your phone, the background has a cool 3D effect that makes the picture come to life. If you love customizing, you can also add widgets on your Lock Screen more freely than before.
3. Live Translation
If you often talk or text with people who speak different languages, you will love this feature. iOS 26 can translate texts in Messages, captions in FaceTime calls, and even phone calls in real-time.
The translations sound natural and happen right on your phone without sending your data elsewhere, so your privacy stays safe. It also works with AirPods, so translations can be heard directly in your ears.
4. Smarter Call Screening
Spam calls and unwanted phone calls are a big annoyance. iOS 26 has improved Call Screening that answers unknown numbers for you.
It asks callers to say their name and reason for calling, then shows you this information before you decide to pick up. You can even set your phone to silence calls from unknown numbers completely.
5. Custom Backgrounds in Messages
Now you can personalize your chats by setting custom backgrounds for your Messages conversations. Choose from colors, gradients, photos, or even create your own backgrounds. This makes chatting more fun and lively, especially in group chats.
6. Adaptive Power Mode
To save battery life, iOS 26 introduces Adaptive Power. This feature smartly adjusts the phone’s performance depending on what you’re doing. It can save power when you’re doing light tasks like reading or music and boost performance when playing games or recording videos. You don’t have to choose this manually—it works automatically.
7. AirPods Camera Remote
You can now use your AirPods as a remote to take pictures. If you have AirPods Pro or AirPods 4, double-tapping on your AirPods while the Camera app is open will snap a photo. This is great for group photos or selfies when your iPhone is far away.
8. Visual Intelligence & Spatial Scenes
iOS 26 adds powerful AI features called Visual Intelligence. For example, you can turn your photos into 3D spatial scenes that move as you tilt your phone. Also, after taking a screenshot, you can ask questions about the content or search for similar images online straight from the screenshot editor.
9. Improved Music Experience
Apple Music gets new features like animated full-screen album covers on the Lock Screen and the ability to translate song lyrics in real time. This helps you enjoy music in other languages, showing the meaning of the song without affecting the music flow.
10. Better Reminders and Notes with AI
The built-in Reminders app now uses AI to suggest tasks based on your emails or messages. It also groups related reminders automatically to keep you organized. The Notes app is more powerful with new layouts and easier ways to find your photos and important content.
Should You Upgrade to iOS 26?
If you have an iPhone 11 or newer, it’s a good idea to upgrade to iOS 26. The update improves your phone’s look and adds new tools to make everyday tasks easier. Features like Live Translation, Liquid Glass design, and smart call screening can save time and improve your experience. However, if you have an older iPhone, you might not get all these new features because they require powerful hardware to run smoothly.
