Apple has officially previewed iOS 26, offering a glimpse of supposedly one of the most transformative updates to its mobile operating system to date. While the public release is expected in autumn 2025, the developer beta already outlines a future shaped by powerful AI tools, enhanced personalisation, and stronger privacy safeguards. iOS 26 in theory marks a major step forward in how users can interact with their iPhones.
Apple Intelligence: AI with Privacy at Its Core
The headline feature of iOS 26 is the introduction of Apple Intelligence, Apple’s generative AI framework integrated directly into the operating system. This suite of tools includes on-device writing assistance, smart notification prioritisation, custom image generation, and Genmoji creation. Users will be able to rewrite or summarise text, generate fun images, and receive (hopefully) intelligent suggestions. It’s worth noting that Apple Intelligence features will only be available on the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and all models in the iPhone 16 series, due to their A17 Pro chip and newer hardware.
A Smarter, More Capable Siri
If you are tired of Siri saying “I don’t know the answer to that, would you like me to look it up for you?” help is hopefully at hand. Siri is receiving one of its most significant overhauls since its debut. In iOS 26, it will support context-aware interactions, allowing it to remember previous queries and interpret follow-up questions more naturally. Users will also be able to type to Siri, making it more versatile in quiet environments. Siri’s improved screen awareness will also allow it to take actions based on what’s currently displayed — for example, adding visible addresses to Contacts or summarising on-screen articles. These upgrades are powered by Apple Intelligence and will only be fully available on supported hardware.
Enhanced Home Screen Customisation
Apple is finally loosening its grip on the rigid iPhone Home Screen layout. With iOS 26, users can place app icons freely, outside of the standard grid, allowing for more creative and minimal layouts. New options let users apply dark or tinted icon themes, helping unify their home screen aesthetics. Additionally, widgets are becoming more interactive and capable of updating in real time without launching the associated app, which should be a welcome improvement for weather, calendar, and to-do widgets.
Liquid Glass: A Smoother, More Refined Look
One of the more eye-catching design changes in iOS 26 is something Apple has called Liquid Glass. It gives parts of your screen, like widgets, notifications, and certain menus, a soft, flowing appearance, almost like looking through water or frosted glass. It’s a subtle effect, but it makes everything feel a bit more vibrant and clean. Combined with the new freedom to arrange apps and choose custom icon styles, it helps your iPhone feel more personal and modern. Keep in mind, though, that this feature is exclusive to devices running the A17 Pro chip and beyond.
Redesigned Photos App
The Photos app is also receiving a major redesign in iOS 26. Apple is introducing a single, unified timeline view that blends photos and videos for a smoother browsing experience. Photos will now be automatically grouped into Collections, such as “Pets”, “Trips”, or “Screenshots”, helping users quickly find what they’re looking for. There’s also the ability to pin favourite albums or people to the top of the app, giving easier access to the most favorite images.
Messaging and Mail Improvements
iOS 26 brings long-requested features to iMessage, including message editing, scheduled sending, and expanded emoji reactions. Messages will also support RCS (Rich Communication Services), which improves media sharing, read receipts, and typing indicators in conversations with Android users. Meanwhile, Mail is due to get smarter thanks to AI-generated Smart Replies and a new categorisation system, which can automatically organise emails into Primary, Promotions, Updates, and more, similar to Gmail’s tabbed inbox.
Focus on Privacy and Security
As always, privacy remains central to Apple’s strategy. With iOS 26, users can now lock individual apps using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, giving them tighter control over sensitive information. Apple is also introducing sensitive content blurring, which can automatically obscure questionable images in Messages, AirDrop, and other apps until manually revealed. And with Private Cloud Compute, even tasks that leave the device are handled with strict safeguards and full transparency.
New Accessibility Features
Apple continues to innovate in accessibility. Eye Tracking will allow users to control their iPhones entirely with eye movement, using the front-facing camera — no additional hardware required. Music Haptics will let Deaf and hard-of-hearing users experience songs through subtle vibrations synced to rhythm and melody. Additionally, users can create custom voice shortcuts to trigger actions or shortcuts with personalised phrases, streamlining navigation and automation for all types of users.
Device Compatibility
iOS 26 will be compatible with all iPhones from the iPhone 11 and newer, even including the iPhone SE (2nd and 2rd generation). However, Apple Intelligence features will only be supported on the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and all models of the iPhone 16 series, due to hardware limitations.
Release Timeline
As of now, iOS 26 is available in developer beta. A public beta is expected in July 2025, giving users the chance to test the software ahead of its general release. The final public rollout is anticipated in September 2025, likely alongside the launch of the iPhone 17.
Final Thoughts
iOS 26 marks a shift in how Apple envisions the future of mobile phone use. It’s not just an update, it’s a redefinition of the iPhone’s role as a smart assistant, creative tool, and privacy-conscious companion. Whether you’re excited about AI-powered productivity, long-awaited home screen freedom, or deeper personalisation, iOS 26 is promising to deliver a smarter, more responsive, and more intelligent mobile experience – if you’re using one of Apple’s newer devices.
Browse our iPhones for Business online shop to purchase one of the latest iPhones and prepare yourself for the big update.
If you are an AI hater and you have read this far, and detest the idea of a phone thinking for itself, you may prefer a phone that just makes and receives calls like they always used to.
