What’s New in iOS 26? Apple’s Latest Update Brings AI and a Fresh Look
Apple is set to launch its iPhone 17 lineup this Friday, but ahead of that, the company is rolling out iOS 26 today (Monday) for compatible devices.
The free update delivers a fresh design overhaul and deeper integration of AI-powered features, which Apple brands as “Apple Intelligence.” It also brings updates across core apps, including Phone, Messages, Photos, CarPlay, Wallet, and Music, according to Axios via Al Arabiya Business.
Alongside iOS 26, Apple is also pushing new updates for iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
iOS 26 Features
The most striking upgrade is the new “liquid glass” design language, a transparent, dynamic style applied across the OS—from app icons and widgets to screens.
In the Phone app, two new AI-powered tools make their debut:
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Call Screening: Automatically answers calls from unknown numbers, asks the caller for their name and reason, and relays that info so you decide whether to pick up.
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Hold Assist: Alerts you when your hold time is over so you don’t miss the call.
In Messages, Apple adds polls and custom chat backgrounds.
In Music, users now get live song lyric translations. In Maps, iOS 26 learns your preferred routes and keeps a history of places visited.
Apple Watch users get more customization with snooze durations between 1 and 15 minutes, while Apple Wallet adds the ability to store passport details.
Compatibility
iOS 26 supports iPhone 11 and newer, plus the second-generation iPhone SE and later. However, Apple Intelligence features require at least the iPhone 16 series or the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max.
