iOS 26 Preview – Apple Goes Bold with Liquid Glass, Smarter AI, and More!

Apple’s soon-to-be-released latest iPhone software iOS 26, is so way more than an update; it’s a visual and functional overhaul. Users can now download the public beta and experience the new work-of-art user experience powered by Liquid Glass aesthetics with a smarter AI and exciting enhancements across all primary mobile apps like Camera, Phone, Messages, and CarPlay.

In this first look breakdown, let’s discover the best features of iOS 26 and what works, what can improve upon, and why Apple fans should feel excited!

Quick Overview – iOS 26 Features at a Glance

Liquid Glass UI – A Visual Identity Overhaul

The most incredible new aspect of iOS 26 is Liquid Glass, Apple’s newly minted design language across all iOS, iPadOS, macOS, etc. Think shimmer and transparency, light refraction, and depth-based effects, all in real time as you use your iPhone.

From the glassy animation of the lock screens slide-down blur, to transparent icons and widgets, iOS 26 really comes across as dynamic and futuristic. However, it is not without downside — in some cases, the legibility is poor, especially on top of light backgrounds. Nevertheless, in Beta 3, Apple is toning down transparency to improve legibility and offered a “Reduce Transparency” toggle for those that prefer a more traditional look.

The clock on the new lock screen is also scalable and able to be resized, repositioned, and adjusted (as it relates to notifications) with a long-press!

Camera App Rebuilt – Finally, a Refresh That Makes Sense

The iPhone Camera app has been redesigned for the first time in years by Apple, and it is a welcome change. The new design is uncomplicated, with only the essential buttons visible. The other controls are now hidden behind swipes and toggles that help create a clear interface.

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Some great features:

Top-left menu: With this menu, it is now possible to select video formats and frame rates quickly without endless taps.

Swipe up: To discover ‘advanced’ settings: resolution and HDR toggles.

More modes, easier switching: All shooting modes are really just a swipe away, although some are hidden from view unless sought out.

This design offers a nice compromise between ease-of-use for the novice and control for the professional..

Visual Intelligence – Smart AI Just Got More Useful

Apple’s Visual Intelligence is developing rapidly. It’s earlier functionality was contingent upon physically identifying objects in the world with the camera. Now Apple is applying visual intelligence to on screen scenarios through a redesigned screenshot user experience.

Here is what’s new:

Take a screenshot → Tap “Ask” or, “Search Image”.

Circle any object → the iPhone will do an image search or you can ask ChatGPT.

Automatically add events to Calendar if the screenshot has an explicit date/ time stamp.

While Apple Visual Intelligence is not perfect yet – slow and slightly buggy – this integration is a big step forward in application.ion hints at Apple’s growing AI ambition — and it’s finally starting to feel useful.

Phone App Upgrades – Pixel-Like Call Features for iPhone

What’s this? The once-little Phone app is much more than just calling.

Call Screening: When an unknown number calls, iOS can ask the caller to state their name and purpose. Their message is transcribed live, so you can make a decision about answering.

Hold Assist: If you are on hold, your iPhone can listen to the call and notify you when a real person comes back on the line.

Unified Display: Finally, a display that combines your favorites, recent calls, and voicemail into one — finally!

This newly designed Phone app is also coming to iPad and Mac in iOS 26, creating a communications hub across devices.

CarPlay Overhauled – A Long Overdue Upgrade

iOS 26 introduces some very big quality-of-life updates for CarPlay users:

Incoming calls no longer take over your entire screen

Messages support Tapbacks (reactions)

You can customize the widget dashboard in the left panel

Live Activities support (ie Summary View, real-time directions, music controls)

While CarPlay Ultra is only available in certain luxury cars (like the Aston Martin) the standard features will have immediate impact for the majority of users.

Bonus: Spatial Scene Photos & Smarter Messages

As part of the bonus features in iOS 26:

Spatial Scenes: Transform any subject-based photo into a physical dimension lock screen wallpaper which moves as you tilt the phone. Slickly animated and surprisingly not a gimmick.

New Messages Tools: Beach too, actually! Add backgrounds, inline polls and can now see group typing indicators – plus offline live translation in chats and calls.

Apple has also added battery charge estimates, custom snooze times, and a Control Center audio selector – small things but they really help!

Final Thoughts – iOS 26 Is Bold, Beautiful, and Smarter

With iOS 26, Apple is doubling down on design, AI, and real utility. The Liquid Glass aesthetic might divide opinions, but there’s no denying it feels like a complete evolution in iOS UI. Add in smarter camera controls, AI features like visual search, and long-awaited app updates — and you’ve got a strong case to try the public beta today.

Are you a fan of Liquid Glass, or do you prefer the clean, flat design of the past? Let us know in the comments — and stay tuned for more iOS 26 deep dives!