What's New in iOS 26 Beta 4: Liquid Glass Adjustments, AI News Summaries and More

Apple launched iOS 26 Beta 4 on July 22, 2025, refining the Liquid Glass design, reintroducing AI features, and addressing performance issues, setting the stage for the public beta expected soon.

Release Information

iOS 26 Beta 4, released July 22, 2025, is available to developers via Settings > Software Update, with a build number of 23A5297i and modem firmware updated to 2.04.0 from 2.03.0.

It aligns with betas for iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, HomePod 26, and VisionOS 26.

The update, ranging from 2-13.06 GB depending on the device, follows Beta 3 (July 7).

The first public beta, likely based on this build, is expected July 24 or 25, with a stable release anticipated in September alongside iPhone 17.

Key Updates

Liquid Glass Design Refinements

(Source: @BetaProfiles)

Liquid Glass returns to its translucent, glass-like aesthetic in apps like Music, Photos, Safari, and Weather, reversing Beta 3's frosted look.

Enhanced readability on the lock screen uses dynamic wallpaper tinting to darken the background when scrolling notifications.

Phone App Call Screening

New call screening options include "Never" (rings unsaved numbers), "Ask Reason for Calling" (default), and "Silence" (sends to voicemail), improving control over unknown callers.

Dynamic Wallpaper and CarPlay

A new dynamic iOS 26 wallpaper changes based on time, with a description noting "multiple shapes and materials." CarPlay adds 12 new wallpapers, mirroring iOS aesthetics.

AI News Summaries

Apple Intelligence re-enables notification summaries for News and Entertainment apps, marked by "Summarized by Apple Intelligence" to clarify AI processing, addressing prior misinterpretation concerns.

Camera App Enhancements

A redesigned Camera app icon reflects a modern sensor look. New splash screens introduce the streamlined design, and fixed scrolling direction aligns swipes with mode selection.

Additional App Updates

Messages sees faster Genmoji and Mixmoji generation and a clearer text field. Notes reduces toolbar padding.

Files adds QuickLook preview. Mail app icon darkens slightly at the envelope base. Face ID settings feature a new blue glyph and bolded text.

Battery Performance

Battery life shows slight improvement, with reduced device heating compared to Betas 1-3, though full assessment awaits further testing.

Benchmarks on iPhone 16 Pro Max report 3,438 single-core and 8,564 multi-core, better than prior betas.

Bug Fixes

Bug fixes include photo wallpaper widget overlap, ChatGPT stale data, and Contacts app search functionality.

Persistent issues involve Photos, Siri, and Instagram (e.g., black screen on reels). Apple Intelligence storage increased to 7.53 GB from 6.23 GB.

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Editor's Comments

iOS 26 Beta 4 marks a significant evolution from iOS 18, particularly with Liquid Glass's return and AI-driven notification summaries.

These enhancements signal Apple's push for a visually cohesive, intelligent ecosystem, potentially influencing app design standards across the tech industry.

The public beta, expected July 24 or 25, 2025, will broaden testing, while Beta 5 is likely around August 5, addressing lingering bugs like Siri delays and app-specific issues.

Improved battery efficiency and reduced heating suggest a focus on performance, setting iOS 26 as a cornerstone for future mobile experiences.