Is this Apple’s most ambitious iPhone update yet?

Apple is shifting its focus from hardware upgrades to major changes in its user interface and operating system, most notably a new design it's calling 'Liquid Glass'.

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference 2025, or WWDC 2025 for short, is running between 10 and 14 June 2025 at Apple Park.

Here's everything that's been announced so far, iPhone-related and by everything, we mean the most interesting bits!

First, what is iOS 26 and when will it be available?

Apple is changing the naming convention of its operating systems for better consistency.

Instead of launching iOS 19, it'll roll out iOS 26 across iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, Vision Pro, and Apple Watches.

The same applies to MacBooks, though Apple will continue its tradition of naming macOS versions after California locations. This year's release will be called macOS Tahoe.

iOS 26, which is the first 'biggest and broadest' redesign since 2013, will mark Apple's system for the year ahead.

It'll officially launch in September, but a public beta should be available from next month.

What is Liquid Glass?

Liquid Glass is the wacky name Apple's giving to its first-ever universal design across all Apple devices, including the iPhone.

Anything that was a solid colour before is now Liquid Glass. Everything you see on the screen looks translucent for more fluidity and seamlessness.

The new Apple aesthetic takes cues from the spatial interface of Vision Pro and will show up across everything from your lock screen and camera to FaceTime, Apple News, Safari and more.

What's this I'm hearing about live translation?

I genuinely think live translation on our phones is a game-changer, especially since so many of us travel for work and play, or live in a fairly multicultural society.

Apple's adding live translation to FaceTime, Messages and the Phone app, with both text and audio translated in real time.

It'll be available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models.
Video calls will feature live captions, while voice-only calls will include spoken translations.

For now, live captions and translations will be available in Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, German, French, and English (US and UK).

What's the deal with call screening?

The phone app is getting a makeover. Besides bringing a new layout which merges 'recents', 'favourites' and 'voicemails' into a single view, you also get call screening.

It's building on the existing live voicemail feature, prompting unknown callers to explain their reason for calling.

This will give you the chance to decide whether it's worth picking up the phone or not.

How else will my iPhone look and feel after Apple's iOS 26 update?

Here's a rapid-fire list of what else you can expect:

• The Photos app is FINALLY getting a much-needed overhaul since the mess of iOS 18. You'll have two tabs - one for your main photo library and another for your collections. It's essentially going back to pre-iOS 18 days with a much cleaner, modern aesthetic.
• Your Group Chats will include Apple Pay integration and polling abilities.
• Getting a call in CarPlay? You'll now have a much more compact view so that important navigations aren't hidden while you're driving.
• Apple Maps will be able to recall places you've visited and adapt your preferred routes in its directions.
• A custom snooze button will let you snooze for 1 to 15 minutes.