Introduction to iOS 26
It is again that time of the year – new iPhone season. And as always, fresh hardware means fresh software. In addition to the start of the iPhone 17 series, Apple iOS 26 uses a large update that has been the boldest redesign of the platform for years. iOS 26 was originally presented at WWDC and is not just another incremental update. It introduces a brand new design language, more intelligent AI functions, and practical upgrades in Apple’s core apps.
iOS 26 Publication Date
Apple is usually releasing new iOS publications with new iPhones and 2025 is no exception. On September 15, iOS 26 will be officially downloaded on the shelves (September 19 in the United Arab Emirates) just a few days before the iPhone 17. As soon as it is live, you will find it in the usual place – the setting app at General → Software update.
What is New in iOS 26
A Complete UI Overhaul
For the first time in years, Apple gives the surface of the iPhone a dramatic revision. The new design language called Liquid Glass makes icons and UI elements appear like translucent glass – but with flowing animations that react with them when interacting. The result is a more dynamic, more modern iOS.
Photos and Telephone Apps Become Smarter
The photo app finally receives the update quality update that users have asked and makes it easier to switch between your main library and your custom albums. In the meantime, the telephone app was optimized with subtle design enemies and more intelligent call management.
News: Adaptation and Notification
Group chats get an upgrade in news. You can now:
- Use more features in group chats.
- Search for specific messages using natural language processing.
New Games Hub
Players are not left out either. iOS 26 provides a dedicated game app in which all of your mobile titles are put together in one place that is compared with Apple Arcade integration and best lists with friends.
Apple Intelligence in iOS 26
Apple continues its AI print with several practical upgrades under the umbrella of Apple Intelligence:
- Live translation during calls and in news
- AI-generated voicemail summary, so you don’t have to hear messages for long
- Search for natural language in chats
- Image playground where you can use Chatgpt to generate pictures
- In Genoji, a peculiar new function is that you can use to mix several emojis into a custom creation
Supported Devices
Not every iPhone can handle iOS 26. Here is the full list of compatibility:
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and new)
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 per, 12 per max
- iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 per, 13 per max
- iPhone 14, 14 plus, 14 per, 14 per max
- iPhone 15, 15 plus, 15 per, 15 per max
- iPhone 16, 16 plus, 16 per, 16 per max
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max
If your device is not on this list, you must adhere to your current version of iOS.
Mark your calendar for September 15th – your iPhone is about to feel brand new.
