Apple has once again redefined the iPhone experience with the announcement of Apple iOS 26 at WWDC 2025 on June 9, 2025. This major update introduces a stunning Liquid Glass design, powerful Apple Intelligence capabilities, and a host of new features across core apps like Messages, Phone, and CarPlay.
Notably, Apple has also changed its operating system naming convention, aligning all its platforms under a unified year-based system (e.g., iOS 26, macOS 26).
In this article, we’ll explore:
- The new naming convention and its significance
- Key features of iOS 26
- A comparison with iOS 18
- How it stacks up against Android 15
Apple’s New Naming Convention
For years, Apple incremented iOS versions sequentially (e.g., iOS 17, iOS 18). However, starting with iOS 26, Apple has adopted a year-based naming system, similar to car models or Windows releases.
Why the Change?
- Consistency: All Apple OS versions (macOS, iPadOS, watchOS) now share the same number (e.g., macOS 26, iPadOS 26).
- Clarity: Users can easily identify the latest software based on the release year (e.g., “26” for 2026).
- Alignment with Industry Trends: Competitors like Samsung and Microsoft already use year-based naming.
This means the next major iOS release will likely be iOS 27 in 2026.
Key Features of iOS 26
1. Liquid Glass: A Sleek New Design
iOS 26 introduces Liquid Glass, a translucent, dynamic interface that adapts to surroundings, offering a fresh yet familiar experience. Key elements include:
- Translucent app icons & widgets with depth effects.
- Dynamic Lock Screen where the clock adjusts to wallpaper space.
- Refined navigation bars that shrink while scrolling.
2. Apple Intelligence: Smarter AI Integration
Apple’s on-device AI powers features like:
- Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone (supports 9 languages).
- Visual Intelligence for on-screen content analysis (e.g., identifying products, adding calendar events).
- Hold Assist waits on hold during calls and notifies you when an agent is available.
3. Enhanced Messaging & Communication
- Group chat polls and Apple Cash transfers in Messages.
- Call Screening blocks spam calls by asking unknown callers for details.
4. CarPlay & Apple Music Upgrades
- Compact call alerts in CarPlay to avoid interrupting navigation.
- Lyrics Translation and AutoMix DJ transitions in Apple Music.
5. New Apps & Accessibility
- Apple Games: A hub for discovering and playing games.
- Accessibility Reader and Braille Access for improved usability.
iOS 26 vs. iOS 18: What’s Changed?
| Feature | iOS 18 | iOS 26 |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Flat, minimalist | Liquid Glass (translucent, dynamic) |
| AI Capabilities | Basic Siri improvements | Advanced Apple Intelligence (on-device AI) |
| Messages | Limited group features | Polls, Apple Cash, typing indicators |
| Photos App | Overhauled (controversial) | Reintroduced Library/Collections tabs |
| CarPlay | Standard widgets | Live Activities, pinned chats |
iOS 26 vs. Android 15: Which Is Better?
Design & Customization
- iOS 26: Liquid Glass offers a unified, elegant look but limits customization.
- Android 15: “Expressive Material” allows deeper personalization (fonts, widgets).
One significant advantage of Android is the extensive variety of smartphones that utilize this operating system, ranging from the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and other Samsung models to Google Pixel devices and numerous other brands.
Performance & AI
- iOS 26: A19 chip excels in single-core tasks; Apple Intelligence prioritizes privacy.
- Android 15: Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 leads in multitasking; Gemini AI is more proactive.
Battery Life & Privacy
- iOS 26: Adaptive Power mode extends battery; Private Cloud Compute enhances security.
- Android 15: Longer battery life (e.g., Galaxy S25+ lasts ~17 hours).
Verdict
- For creatives/privacy: iOS 26.
- For customization/multitasking: Android 15.
Release Date & Compatibility
- Developer Beta: June 9, 2025.
- Public Beta: July 2025.
- iOS 26 Release Date: September 2025 (for iPhone 11 and later).
Conclusion
iOS 26 marks a paradigm shift for Apple, blending a groundbreaking design with cutting-edge AI. While Android 15 offers more flexibility, iOS 26’s seamless ecosystem and privacy focus make it a standout choice.