iOS 26 beta preview: Liquid Glass is better than you think

image via Engadget

July 24, 2025, 6:00 PM

• •iOS 26 introduces a new Liquid Glass design, offering a layered and transparent aesthetic across the system.
• •Key features include a redesigned home screen, a bottom-placed search bar, and enhanced Visual Intelligence for screenshots.
• •Apple Music gets AutoMix and playlist pinning, while Messages adds custom backgrounds and live translation.
• •Quality-of-life improvements include AirPods notifications, studio-quality sound recording, and sleep detection.
• •The update prioritizes design and system consistency, with some AI features, but notably fewer Siri updates.

iOS 26 brings a major visual overhaul with the Liquid Glass design, focusing on layered transparency and animations. The update includes enhancements to the home screen, search functionality, and screenshot intelligence, alongside improvements to Apple Music and Messages. While the design is a significant change, the emphasis is on system-wide consistency and user experience, with a noticeable lack of major Siri updates. Overall, the update offers a mix of aesthetic and practical improvements, but some features, like the Games app, are questionable.

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