Posted by Keyss
What’s New in iOS 26: AI Tools, Liquid Glass & Features Worth Using
Upgrading your iPhone is exciting—but only if you know what you’re getting. With iOS 26, Apple brings a bold new design and smart AI tools that change how your phone feels and works. In this post, I walk you through the best new features, who can use them, and how they help you in real life.
Why iOS jumped to version “26”
Apple skipped many numbers to align iOS with its other platforms. So instead of iOS 19 or 20, we now have iOS 26. This jump signals a unified experience across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and visionOS
Liquid Glass — The New Look That Moves With You
One of the biggest changes in iOS 26 is the Liquid Glass design.
What is Liquid Glass?
Liquid Glass gives interface elements a translucent, glass-like feel. Controls, toolbars, and menus now float above content, often showing blurs or reflections behind them.
As you scroll, tab bars shrink to let your content shine. When you scroll up, navigation reappears smoothly
Why it matters
Modern & immersive look: It refreshes the UI and feels more alive.
Focus on content: Controls recede when not needed.
Developer access: Apple provides APIs so apps can adopt parts of Liquid Glass.
Challenges & tips
Some users report readability issues in heavily transparent elements. To improve, Apple provides accessibility settings like Reduce Transparency and contrast options.
If Liquid Glass feels too much, adjust settings under Settings → Accessibility.
Apple Intelligence & AI Tools in iOS 26
iOS 26 brings deeper AI (Apple calls it Apple Intelligence) right into your everyday apps.
Live Translation everywhere
Messages, FaceTime, and Phone can now translate speech or text in real time.
Smarter Shortcuts & writing tools
Shortcuts now support AI models—on-device or via cloud—for summarizing text, generating images (via Image Playground), and handling complex tasks.
With AI built in, you can automate cross-app workflows that once needed manual setup.
Who can use full AI features?
You’ll need an Apple Intelligence–capable iPhone (like iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, or later).
Backward compatibility exists: non-AI iPhones get the design and some features, but not all AI perks.
Key New Features Worth Trying
Let’s look at the coolest functional changes in iOS 26:
Redesigned Phone & Call Tools
Call screening & Hold Assist: The system can answer, ask reason, and notify you when real agent returns. AppleInsider+2AppleInsider+2
UI flows updated: Contacts, keypad, and call logs are refined for clarity.
Messages, polls & backgrounds
Group chats can suggest polls automatically. MacRumors
Colorful / custom chat backgrounds.
Live Translation inside chat.
Camera, Photos & Spatial Scenes
Spatial Photos: convert flat photos to 3D effect for lock screen / wallpapers.
In Camera, UI rearranged—common buttons move, settings are more intuitive.
In Photos, Memories and layout updates lean on AI for suggested edits.
Better Maps & “Visited Places”
The new Visited Places tracks where you go (locally, encrypted).
Maps can learn your preferred routes and change based on travel habits. AppleInsider
Performance & battery enhancements
Adaptive Power Mode: iOS learns your behavior to manage battery usage better.
Efficiency in AI: on-device capabilities reduce reliance on cloud for fast responses. MacRumors
Which iPhones Will Fully Use iOS 26 Features?
Not all models unlock every feature. Key points:
Full Apple Intelligence features require newer models (iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max, iPhone 16 series, upcoming iPhone 17) Tom’s Guide+2MacRumors+2
Older models still get Liquid Glass UI, design refresh, and some non-AI features.
iOS 26 will roll out widely to eligible devices starting 15 September 2025.
Always check your Settings > General > Software Update to see if your device qualifies.
Real-World Use Cases & Stories
Let me tell you how these feel in daily life:
When I visited a café in Paris, I got a message from a French friend. My iPhone translated it instantly—even the reply I typed translated back.
Next, I opened Camera to snap a street scene. The Liquid Glass UI faded back so I could focus on the image.
These small touches make big differences. The device feels smarter, more fluid, more you
Tips to Use iOS 26 Well
Try turning off Reduce Transparency if you find texts hard to read.
Use high contrast wallpapers so icons stand out.
Enable Adaptive Power Mode to extend battery life.
Test Live Translation in calls or chats you already have.
Explore Shortcuts: mix AI tools with your daily tasks.
Back up before you update—just in case.
Wrap-Up
iOS 26 is more than just another update. It marks a fresh design approach, deeper AI tools, and new ways to interact with your phone. Whether you’re a casual user or developer, many of these changes bring benefit right away.
If your device supports Apple Intelligence, you’ll unlock more. But even if not, the Liquid Glass UI and design updates make iOS feel modern and vibrant.
Up next: test the Live Translation, explore the new Shortcuts, and enjoy this new OS world.
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