Apple has released the first developer beta of iOS 26, bringing with it a striking new design and a collection of thoughtful updates across the system.
Announced during WWDC 2025, this version introduces a more fluid interface, new ways to customize your device, and helpful features that make everyday tasks a little easier.
While still in early testing, iOS 26 Beta 1 offers a good first look at what's coming later this year.
Release Information
iOS 26 Beta 1 was released to developers on June 9, 2025, immediately following Apple's WWDC keynote. The update is available for download through the Apple Developer Program.
This early-stage beta, identified by build number 23A5260n, supports iPhone 11 and later models.
(Credit: Apple)
However, certain features—such as Live Translation and Visual Intelligence—are exclusive to newer devices like the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 series.
A public beta is expected to launch in July, with the official release likely arriving in September or October, alongside Apple's next-generation iPhone lineup.
Key Updates
Liquid Glass Interface
One of the first things users will notice in iOS 26 is its bold new look.
Apple has introduced a design language called Liquid Glass, which brings a translucent, layered feel to the interface.
From folders to Control Center, elements now appear to float above the background, responding fluidly as you interact with them.
The lock screen also gets more flexibility: the clock can be resized and repositioned, while widgets blend more naturally into the background.
Even app icons can now be displayed in a fully transparent "All Clear" style, giving users more ways to personalize their home screen.
(Credit: Apple)
Redesigned Apps
Several built-in apps have been updated to feel cleaner and easier to use:
- Camera: The interface has been simplified. You can swipe between modes and access settings like aspect ratio and timer more quickly.
- Photos: A new bottom menu makes it easier to switch between your library and collections.
- Music: Album art can now fill the entire lock screen, and a new AutoMix feature blends songs together for smoother playback. You can also pin favorite albums or artists to the top of your library.
- Messages: Conversations feel more personal with custom backgrounds, group polls, and clearer typing indicators. There’s also better spam detection.
- Phone: The layout brings together Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail in one place. New features like Call Screening help filter out unknown callers, while Hold Assist lets you know when someone returns to a call after placing you on hold.
Helpful New Tools
iOS 26 also adds new features that aim to make everyday tasks faster and more convenient.
(Credit: Apple)
Live Translation is one of the most impressive: it allows real-time translation during phone calls, FaceTime, or even text conversations.
It can work both ways and supports several major languages, including Chinese (Simplified), English (UK), English (US), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain).
(Credit: Apple)
Another useful addition is Visual Intelligence, which lets users extract useful information from what's on their screen—like turning a screenshot into a calendar event.
(Credit: Apple)
For those who enjoy customizing their phone's look, Genmoji lets you create expressive emojis from scratch, and Image Playground offers creative image generation right from your device.
New Apps and Experiences
Apple has introduced a few new apps in iOS 26 that help bring together content and functionality in one place.
The new Apple Games app combines Game Center, Apple Arcade, and multiplayer features into a single hub where users can track progress, find new games, and challenge friends.
There's also a new Preview app, which brings Mac-like PDF and image editing capabilities to the iPhone—ideal for quick annotations or file conversions.
In Safari, subtle changes like a floating tab bar and shrinking address bar help maximize screen space while keeping navigation straightforward.
Communication Updates
Communication apps have seen meaningful updates this time around.
In FaceTime, controls now fade into the background during calls for a cleaner view, and users can set short video clips as contact posters for a more personal touch.
Messages has improved spam detection and lets users customize conversations with animated backgrounds.
Both Messages and Phone now support better filtering for unknown or unwanted contacts, helping reduce interruptions throughout the day.
You can also pin your favorite contacts to the top of the Phone app for quicker access.
Battery & Power Features
Battery management gets smarter in iOS 26, especially with the introduction of Battery Intelligence.
When you plug in your iPhone, it now shows an estimated time to reach 80%—a small but welcome addition that helps users manage charging more efficiently.
There's also a new Adaptive Power Mode, which automatically adjusts performance when battery usage is higher than usual.
It does this subtly—like dimming the screen slightly or delaying background tasks—without affecting your overall experience.
Audio & AirPods Enhancements
For users with newer AirPods featuring Apple's H2 chip, iOS 26 unlocks some handy improvements.
You can now start recording video just by pressing on the AirPods' stem—a feature that's especially helpful when filming hands-free.
Audio quality during video calls or recordings has also been improved, offering clearer sound capture that's ideal for remote meetings or content creation.
Accessibility & Customization
Apple continues to prioritize accessibility with several thoughtful additions in this release.
A new Accessibility Reader provides customizable text-to-speech options for easier reading across apps.
Users who rely on braille input will appreciate expanded support through Braille Access, while those sensitive to motion can benefit from Vehicle Motion Cues, designed to reduce motion sickness when using a phone in transit.
On the customization side, alarms now support adjustable snooze durations—from 1 to 15 minutes—giving users more control over how they wake up.
Performance and Bug Fixes
For a first beta, iOS 26 runs fairly well on supported devices. Most apps open smoothly, animations feel responsive, and overall system stability is solid. That said, some bugs are expected at this stage:
- Some new features, like Visual Intelligence and certain language models for translation, aren't fully active yet.
- The update file is large—around 15 GB—and may take time to install and index depending on your device.
Battery life appears stable so far, though some users have reported warmer device temperatures during initial setup. This often improves after background processes finish running.
Editor's Comments
iOS 26 feels like one of the most significant updates in years—not just because of how it looks, but because of how much thought went into making everyday tasks feel simpler.
The Liquid Glass design gives iPhones a fresh identity without being overwhelming, while features like Live Translation and Call Screening show Apple's focus on making communication easier and more inclusive.
Compared to iOS 18.3, which focused on smaller updates like HomeKit support for robot vacuums and Siri tweaks, iOS 26 is a much bigger leap forward.
It rethinks how users interact with their devices—from visuals to voice calls—and sets the tone for what iPhones might look like going forward.
With several months left before the final release, there's still room for polish. But even in its early form, iOS 26 is shaping up to be a meaningful update that balances style with substance.
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