The release of iOS 26 is one of the most anticipated dates of the year for Apple fans, as it'll provide a major overhaul for your iPhone that could be one of the most significant visual shifts in over a decade.
It's safe to say that iOS 18 wasn't exactly super popular when it dropped last September, and while a number of new updates adding long-awaited features have redeemed the operating system in the eyes of some fans, many have remained fixated on the next big revision.
While the name change might leave some confused, iOS 26 - formerly referred to as iOS 19 - has just been officially announced by Apple, and it's set to be released later this year.
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It brings with it a number of jaw-dropping new features that you won't want to miss out on, so if you've got an eligible device you'd better mark the release day down in your calendar as something to look forward to.
When will iOS 26 be available?
iOS 26 won't be available to the public until September, and Apple haven't yet provided an exact date that it'll be ready to download on your device, although going by previous years it'll be just a few days before the next major iPhone release.
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Having a look at the release dates of previous versions, it tends to be in the middle of the month between the 12th and 20th of December, with iOS 18 launching on September 16, 2024.
You'd have to go all the way back to iOS 5 in 2011 to see a launch that was later than September 20, so there's a good chance we won't have to wait much longer than 100 days from the time of writing before iOS 26 becomes available.
Developers, however, have been granted access to the update already in order to prepare any apps or software so that everything is working as intended at launch, so we might get a few sneak peeks ahead of the launch later this year.
What's new in the iOS 26 update?
There are plenty of new features ranging from complete overhauls to handy additions that you've got to look forward to with iOS 26, but by far the biggest selling point for many is the fresh visual approach.
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Apparently designed to fall in line with the aesthetics of the Apple Vision Pro, iOS 26's new 'Liquid Glass' design favors translucent visuals that'll likely take you by surprise when you first give it a glance.
Apple describes this fresh look as "a new translucent material that reflects and refracts its surroundings, bringing greater focus to content, and delivering a new level of vitality across controls, navigation, app icons, widgets, and more."
Lock screens also have a new dynamic 3D effect that adjusts the time in order to suit what photo you've chosen, placing it slightly behind the focus of the shot in order to make your favorite photos pop even more.
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When it comes to handy new features, Apple has also finally introduced call screening, much to the relief of countless iPhone users.
You can also add custom backgrounds and even create polls within your messages, making planning for that next group trip so much easier.
There is a new dedicated Apple Games hub for all your favorite mobile experiences, fingerprint protection within Safari for added security, and a number of updates to Apple Music that'll help immerse you even further into your most-played tracks.
Finally, Apple Intelligence is also getting a number of much-needed improvements, with live translation integration in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone being one of the standouts. You can also use visual search ask ChatGPT questions about anything that's on your screen at any point, and visual intelligence also now prompts smart suggestions like calendar additions based on what you're viewing.