Apple Set to Release iOS 26 Today, Here are Some of the Coolest Features

Apple’s iOS 26 lands today and it’s going to make your iPhone (11 or later) feel like a brand new device. It’s got a new design, smart communication features and thoughtful touches to make life easier.

Apple has reimagined the iPhone’s interface with Liquid Glass, which gives menus, buttons and app icons a transparent look that reflects light as you tilt the device. App icons can be dark or clear and blend with your wallpaper. Buttons float with gentle animations giving the interface a clean and consistent look across Apple’s ecosystem.

In iOS 26 lock screen settings, the clock now expands dynamically to fill empty space, while Apple Music’s full screen animated album art adds a pop when you play a supported track. New fonts, 3D wallpaper effects and wider widget layouts let you create a lock screen that’s more you. Spatial Scenes on iPhone 12 and later add depth to images making them pop with 3D effect. Focus mode options have been updated so you can fine tune notifications for work, relaxation or anything in between.

Group chats in iOS 26 are more fun than ever with a new polls feature that lets you settle debates — like where to go for dinner — with a quick vote, and Apple Intelligence can suggest creating a poll when it senses indecision. You can set custom backgrounds for conversations choosing from Apple’s curated options or your own photos making chats visually distinct. Typing indicators now show who’s active in group threads and an “Add Contact” button makes it easy to save new numbers. For privacy a screening option moves texts from unknown senders to a separate folder and hides notifications until you approve them. A “Select” tool lets you highlight specific text in a message for copying so you can be more precise with your replies.

The Phone app gets two big updates. Call Screening asks unknown callers to leave their name and reason for calling so you can filter out robocalls before they reach you. Enable it in the Phone settings and a virtual assistant will take care of the rest so you can choose who gets to call you. Hold Assist eliminates the agony of being on hold by alerting you when an agent picks up so you can skip the hold music. The app also consolidates contacts, recent calls and voicemails onto one scrollable screen so it’s easy to navigate.

Battery life gets a boost with Adaptive Power Mode on iPhone 15 Pro and later. This adjusts performance to stretch your battery, dimming the screen or slowing down certain tasks when needed. When your battery gets to 20% it goes into Low Power Mode to max out efficiency.

The Camera app keeps all of the important stuff front and center. Swipe left or right to get to special modes like portrait or panorama, then swipe up for more advanced options. A new feature will alert you if your lens is dirty so you can take cleaner shots. Screenshots get a nice upgrade too. After taking one, you can use Google Search to find similar content or ask ChatGPT for insights, all from the edit screen.