Apple has officially unveiled iOS 26 at WWDC 2025, marking the most significant design overhaul since iOS 7. The new operating system introduces the groundbreaking “Liquid Glass” design language, completely transforming how users interact with their iPhones and setting the stage for the upcoming 20th anniversary iPhone.
Breaking: New Naming Convention
Apple has made a dramatic shift in naming strategy, jumping from iOS 18 directly to iOS 26, abandoning the traditional sequential numbering system. The “26” marks the September 2025 to September 2026 release season, with future versions following as iOS 27, iOS 28, and so on.
Revolutionary Liquid Glass Design
Tim Cook introduced iOS 26, featuring the new “Liquid Glass” design language during today’s WWDC 2025 keynote. Apple previewed a new software design, crafted with Liquid Glass, that makes apps and system experiences more expressive and delightful.
System menus, elements, and apps will become glossier, glassier, and more translucent — much like they appear on Apple’s Vision Pro headset. By making controls and menus see-through, executives said, you’ll be able to focus more on your content.
Visual Intelligence and Interface Updates
iOS 26 will feature a “digital glass” design inspired by visionOS, the operating system for Apple’s Vision Pro headset. iOS 26 will reportedly update the “style of icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons” for iPhone users, delivering the most comprehensive visual refresh in years.
The new design language extends beyond aesthetics, incorporating enhanced Visual Intelligence features that make interactions more intuitive and contextually aware.
Cross-Platform Unification
This year’s updates will deliver a unified Liquid Glass interface across different platforms as well as a common naming convention. The design consistency extends across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26, creating a seamless ecosystem experience.
Release Timeline and Availability
iOS 26 was announced today at WWDC 2025, with the developer beta expected to be available immediately following the keynote. The new iOS update is expected to become available to the general public in September 2025, following Apple’s traditional fall release schedule.
Strategic Vision for 2025
The new software design style will be at the center of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference — and set the stage for an upcoming iPhone overhaul. This Liquid Glass implementation appears to be Apple’s preparation for the highly anticipated 20th anniversary iPhone, expected to launch alongside iOS 26 this fall.
Developer Impact
The comprehensive design overhaul means developers will need to update their applications to align with the new Liquid Glass aesthetic. Apple has provided extensive documentation and design guidelines to help developers integrate the translucent, glass-like elements into their apps effectively.
iOS 26 represents Apple’s boldest software redesign in over a decade, combining visual innovation with functional improvements that promise to redefine the iPhone experience for millions of users worldwide.