iOS 26 unveiled

Apple unveiled the latest update to its iPhone software — iOS 26 — during the keynote address at its Worldwide Developers Conference 2025.

The jump from iOS 18 to iOS 26 is due to Apple overhauling its software versions to be uniform across various devices by using the last two digits of the following year.

This is likely due to Apple’s annual software updates typically only rolling out in September or later each year, so using a number for the following year makes more sense, like with new car models.

Among the most significant changes with Apple’s iPhone software is the first major visual redesign since iOS 7, released in 2013. The new look was described as Apple’s “broadest design change ever.”

It is centred around an “expressive” material Apple calls “Liquid Glass,” inspired by the depth and dimensionality of vision.

“This translucent material reflects and refracts its surroundings, while dynamically transforming to help bring greater focus to content,” Apple said.

“Born out of a close collaboration between the design and engineering teams, Liquid Glass uses real-time rendering and dynamically reacts to movement with specular highlights.”

Apple said the new material will extend from the smallest to the largest elements, including buttons, switches, sliders, text, media controls, tab bars, and sidebars.

“It also shines in system experiences, such as the Lock Screen, Home Screen, notifications, Control Center, and more,” the company added.

Controls, toolbars, and navigation have also been changed to fit concentric with the rounded corners of modern displays as opposed to the previous rectangular shapes used for sharper corners.

One area where the new design will be immediately apparent is on the Lock Screen, where the clock will fluidly adapt to the available space in an image and spatial scenes will create a 3D effect.

In addition to iOS 26, the design will be featured across iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26.

AI-powered punch translates and call screening

On the functionality side, iOS 26 will feature a host of new features powered by artificial intelligence (AI), or “Apple Intelligence” as the company calls it.

That includes live language translations integrated into the Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps for quick text and audio translation.

These translations will be powered entirely by on-device AI, which will also be accessible by third-party app developers through the new Foundation Models framework and Live Translation API.

Another enhancement is ChatGPT-powered Visual Intelligence, which will allow users to search for similar images, add events to their calendar, or ask questions, all based on contents in a screenshot.

There will also be new intelligent shortcuts for dedicated AI-powered actions like Writing Tools and Image Playground.

However, perhaps one of the most alluring features that will interest South African users is Call Screening in the updated Phone app.

This feature will automatically take calls in the background and provide a textual summary of what the caller wants to talk about before the phone starts ringing, so the user can decide to pick up or decline.

Another useful capability is Hold Assist, which will keep a phone call running in the background while the typical waiting room music is played. It will then alert the user when a support agent is available.

Below are some of the other major new features coming to individual apps in iOS 26:

• Camera — Simplified layout with photo or video as basic options, swipe left or right for modes, swipe up for settings, and tap for formats
• Carplay — Widgets, Live Activities, new compact view for incoming calls, Tapbacks, and pinned conversations in Messages
• Games — New all-in-one app for mobile games, major gaming events and updates, and accessing Apple Arcade
• Music — Lyrics translation and pronunciation, Automix for smoother transitions between songs, and Music Pins
• Maps — Automatic learning of preferred routes and Visited Places with location history
• Messages — Polls in group chats, spam messages screening, a separate section for unknown senders, and the ability to choose photos or animations for chat backgrounds
• Pay — Order tracking details across apps summarised in one place and support for rewards points payments
• Photos — Separate overlayed tabs for Library and Collections views
• Safari — Edge-to-edge web pages with adaptive controls for the best possible view of content
• Wallet — 13 more automakers, including Porsche and Tata, adding support for Apple digital car keys, and new boarding pass design and features

Carplay

Maps

Messages

Music

Wallet