Apple’s next big leap has arrived in preview form. The iOS 26 public beta is now available for anyone curious enough to test the company’s most visual and functional overhaul in years. From glossy new visuals to privacy-minded AI, this update touches nearly every corner of the iPhone experience.
iOS 26 public beta introduces Liquid Glass UI
At the heart of the iOS 26 update is Liquid Glass, a translucent interface that changes how iOS looks and feels. Notifications, control panels, and app screens now carry a reflective, glassy texture and an aesthetic shift not seen since iOS 7.
Menus flow more smoothly, animations feel quicker, and the visual polish is hard to miss. But this isn’t just a facelift, it’s the front-end of deeper changes under the hood.
We've listed the changes Apple made to the camera app with the iOS 26 update, which is still in beta. Here are the details.
Messages and calls get a smarter edge
The iOS 26 public beta adds meaningful upgrades to daily communication. Messaging now includes typing indicators in group chats, customizable backgrounds, and built-in polls for easier coordination. Conversations feel more alive and less like static threads.
For calls, Apple added new tools like Hold Assist and real-time call screening. Spam and unknown numbers can be auto-filtered before they ring. If someone’s placed on hold, the system can notify you when a human picks up.
Apple Intelligence features built in
Apple is leaning into private AI with local-device processing. The iOS 26 public beta includes on-the-fly voice translations, visual search inside screenshots, and context-aware suggestions in Messages and Safari. These tools run on-device, meaning no cloud processing or personal data leaks.
Apps like Camera also gain precision features: external mic support, a dirty lens alert, and new AirPods capture controls for mobile vloggers or streamers.
What else is new in iOS 26 public beta?
Beyond the headline features, iOS 26 quietly improves a wide list of stock apps:
- Safari gets better autofill and tab grouping
- Photos adds AI-assisted editing tools
- Maps now includes custom route planning
- Wallet supports digital IDs in more states
- A new Games tab organizes App Store picks
The beta works on iPhone 11 and newer models. Installing it takes just a few minutes, but expect early bugs and battery dips, typical beta behavior.
The wait for the final iOS 26 ends soon
Apple plans to launch iOS 26 publicly this fall, alongside the iPhone 17 series. But for early adopters itching for change, the beta is already reshaping the iPhone in bold new strokes.
The future’s smoother, and it’s already in your pocket.
