Alongside performance improvements, this update settles a recent Camera app issue, introduces a new onboarding experience, and adds a set of ringtones that are already stirring excitement online.

One of the more unexpected changes is the arrival of six new ringtones, all variations of Apple’s familiar “Reflection” tone. The new sounds, Buoyant, Dreamer, Tech, Pop, Reflected, and Surge, are joined by a fresh, original tone named Little Bird. 

Among them, Dreamer has captured the most attention. Social media posts have called it “crazy good” and “such a bop”, with some joking it might finally convince them to switch off silent mode.

The Camera app’s swipe direction issue has also been resolved. Apple had previously reversed the swipe gesture for switching modes, frustrating long-time users who complained that the change disrupted their muscle memory. 

A temporary toggle to restore the original behaviour appeared in beta 5, but in beta 6, Apple has simply reverted to the old design as the default, removing the toggle altogether. This move shows a quiet retreat from a change the company no longer seems willing to defend.

Visual refinements to Apple’s “Liquid Glass” interface continue, with the Lock Screen clock now more transparent and given a floating, glass-like finish. Toggle switches shimmer with faint rainbow reflections when tapped, and navigation bars have been adjusted for greater clarity over complex backgrounds. These tweaks indicate Apple is nearing its final polish phase.

Other notable changes include faster app launch animations with a subtle bounce effect, snappier transitions, and improved stability compared to earlier betas. A redesigned onboarding sequence now greets users after installation, showcasing Liquid Glass, refreshed icons, and updated layouts in various apps.

As with previous beta cycles, the public beta is expected within days, keeping in step with Apple’s regular weekly update rhythm. Beyond beta, the final release of iOS 26 is anticipated in September 2025, likely coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 17.

At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, the tech giant launched a range of features that could change how iPhones function, from answering calls on your behalf to converting text messages in real-time into foreign languages. 

Let’s begin with what matters most to many users: the Phone app. With iOS 26, Apple is deploying Call Screening, a feature designed to cut through the noise of unknown callers. 

Here’s how it works: if someone calls you and you don’t have their number saved, your iPhone will silently pick up in the background, ask for their name and reason for calling, and only then decide whether to alert you. 

You’ll read what they said and decide if it’s worth your time. For those of us tired of spam and telemarketers, this could be the most practical upgrade in years.

There’s also Hold Assist. If you’ve ever waited endlessly to speak to a human during a customer service call, this one’s for you. iOS 26 can now stay on the line for you while you’re on hold and let you know once a live agent joins. It’s subtle, but incredibly useful, and shows Apple is finally getting personal with real-world pain points.

Another addition is Live Translation, available across Phone, Messages, and FaceTime. You speak your native language, and the system instantly translates and reads it out loud in the recipient’s language. They respond in their own tongue, and you hear the reply translated in real-time. No need for third-party apps. No delay in human connection.

Now, onto Messages; Apple is catching up with group chat demands. You can now create polls right inside a conversation. Want to decide quickly where to meet or who’s bringing what to the party? Start a poll. 

The app can even detect when a poll might be helpful and suggest one. You also get typing indicators in group chats, custom backgrounds, and the ability to send or receive Apple Cash within the thread.

Screening for unknown senders has also been tightened. Messages from numbers you don’t recognise are filed into a separate folder. You can either verify them, ignore them, or delete them. Until you make a move, those messages remain muted. This level of control is new and long overdue.

We also saw Apple push into entertainment territory. There’s AudioMix in Apple Music, a new DJ-style transition feature that blends songs using beat-matching and time-stretching. For those who enjoy karaoke nights, your iPhone is now a microphone, literally. With the new karaoke feature, lyrics sync to Apple TV, your voice is amplified, and your phone becomes the star.

Apple Maps is smarter and it now learns your routine. If you regularly commute to a location, it will predict your route, alert you to delays, and suggest alternatives. You’ll also be able to see all the places you’ve been, sorted automatically under Visited Places, which Apple says is fully encrypted and private.

Wallet gets even more powerful and truly, more convenient. Digital ID is here, allowing you to store a virtual version of your passport or driver’s licence. It’s not a replacement yet, but can be used in apps that require age verification or at select TSA checkpoints. 

Again, Apple is letting you access services like flight tracking and even lost baggage reporting directly from your digital boarding pass.

“Wallet now uses Apple Intelligence to automatically summarise and display order tracking details from emails sent from merchants or delivery carriers,” Apple confirmed.

Photos and Camera get some functional changes too. Tabs are back in the Photos app after user outcry over previous redesigns. In Camera, your most used modes are now upfront, switching between photo and video is faster. Swiping up reveals controls like flash, timer, and resolution. You can move between HD and 4K with a tap.

FaceTime takes advantage of Live Translation as well. When you’re on a video call with someone speaking another language, translated subtitles will appear on screen. It’s smooth, fast, and might make multilingual conversations far less awkward.

On a design level, Apple introduces Liquid Glass, a material that visually responds to its environment. It affects everything from widgets to app icons. There’s a noticeable transition toward personalisation. Your Lock Screen adapts to the photo in use, and your Home Screen now allows deeper customisation.

If you’ve felt iOS updates in recent years were incremental at best, iOS 26 is a different innovation. Apple seems to be embracing not just innovation, but also accountability, listening to user complaints, addressing real-world needs, and rethinking how core apps operate.

So, iOS 26 is built for utility and speed. The features are designed to make your iPhone more human, more helpful, and possibly, more irreplaceable than ever.

At the centre of the anticipated launch is a complete overhaul of its operating systems’ appearance, a new naming convention, and cautious updates to its much-publicised Apple Intelligence tools.

The interface update, internally dubbed “Solarium,” takes cues from the visionOS used in Apple’s Vision Pro headset.

Early reports suggest users should expect a visually striking “Liquid Glass” look, transparent toolbars, glass-like UI elements, and a system-wide aesthetic meant to unify Apple’s product ecosystem. 

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that this could be “the most dramatic overhaul” in Apple’s software history.

The change doesn’t end there as Apple appears set to abandon version numbers in favour of a year-based naming system. So, instead of iOS 19, we’ll now see iOS 26, aligning with macOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. It’s a change aimed at better cohesion across platforms.

Though Apple Intelligence dominated WWDC 2024, this year’s event will likely tone down the hype. After falling short on delivering an improved Siri and being condemned for over-promising, Apple is reportedly playing it safe. 

Still, some features, like automatic message translation and improved battery life management using AI, are on the cards. 

The AI features may also help the iPhone learn which apps to prioritise for power efficiency and show a charging time estimate on the lock screen.

iOS 26 will bring visible changes to everyday apps. Messages is tipped to get polls and custom chat backgrounds, while Notes may finally allow Markdown exports, a small but meaningful update for content creators. 

Meanwhile, a standalone gaming app could debut, streamlining Game Center, Apple Arcade, and store-bought games into one interface. Apple is also expected to expand gaming across iPadOS and macOS.

As for macOS, WWDC 2025 rumours point to the end of Intel-era Mac support. Devices like the 2018 Mac mini and 2020 Intel MacBook Air may be cut off. macOS 26, potentially called “Tahoe” will reportedly carry forward the visual overhaul with support continuing only on M1 and newer Macs.

One underreported but essential focus is accessibility. New features include braille-compatible app launching, Live Captions for Apple Watch, and a simplified Reader mode for users with dyslexia and visual impairments. 

There’s also a move to add “accessibility nutrition labels” in the App Store, helping users evaluate app usability before downloading.

The Apple Watch may gain a blood pressure feature and AI-powered notification summaries. However, watchOS support could leave out Series 6, with Series 7 and newer models remaining in play. 

Likewise, iPadOS 26 could drop support for the 7th-gen iPad but bring new multitasking tools and a mobile Preview app for PDF annotation.

Notably absent from this year’s expected announcements is Apple’s long-rumoured smart glasses. While sources say Tim Cook is invested in bringing spatial computing to wearables by 2026, no major reveal is anticipated today. 

However, Apple may quietly begin courting developers for future app support, as it did with the Vision Pro.

And though Apple won’t address it on stage, the impact of US tariffs can’t be ignore. With the Trump administration threatening 25% tariffs on non-US-made Apple products, CEO Tim Cook recently noted a projected $900 million hit this quarter. 

If there’s any mention of Apple’s promised $500 billion domestic investment, it’ll be more political than product-oriented.

Finally, the Apple Design Awards have already named winners across six categories, highlighting the best in innovation, accessibility, and visual design. It’s a quiet nod to the developer community just before the big announcements roll in.

WWDC 2025 officially begins today at 6 p.m. WAT, and developer betas are expected to be released immediately after the keynote. Public betas should follow in July, with full software rollouts likely timed with the iPhone 17 launch this September.

Apple has a lot to prove this year with functionality, reliability, and restraint.