At the annual developer conference WWDC 2025, Apple presented a major update to its ecosystem-launching a new design philosophy, expanding the capabilities of artificial intelligence and rethinking the user experience. The key event was the announcement of iOS 26, which begins a new era — the "era of glass".
New visual language: liquid glass and volume
The main visual accent of iOS 26 was a liquid glass design, reminiscent of the legendary Aero Glass from Windows 7, but in a more refined and glossy design. All icons are now round and semi-transparent, which adds depth and dynamics to the interface. All built — in apps-from "Weather" to "Notes" - have been updated. Three-dimensional screensavers appeared on the lock screen, visually integrated with the main design.
Minimalism and focus in the camera
The camera app has become as concise as possible — from now on, only two modes are available: "Photo" and"Video". Apple explains this as a desire to reduce visual noise and focus on the main thing. Other functions remain available in the background, but are hidden for the general audience.
Smart functions: translations and search
iOS 26 received automatic translation of incoming calls and messages — a new feature allows you to instantly understand the interlocutor without third-party applications. Also presented is an analog of Google Lens: now the user can take a screenshot of any item and instantly find it on the Internet, bypassing Safari or third-party search engines.
Apple Pay and logistics
The Apple Pay payment system has integrated parcel tracking — now users can monitor the delivery status directly in the app, without the need to use third-party trackers.
iPhone becomes a gaming device
Apple paid special attention to gaming. The Games app was introduced-for casual games in everyday situations, and a web service was launched games.apple.com, which aggregates games from various platforms and makes the iPhone a full-fledged gaming hub.
A new approach to the ecosystem: unified OS numbers
As part of the unification and simplification of user perception, Apple abandoned sequential numbering and introduced years in the OS name: iOS 26, macOS 26, etc. This should simplify navigation and emphasize the annual rhythm of updates.
The future of Siri and Apple's neural networks
Developers are being given access to Apple's AI models, which could be a breakthrough in the development of voice assistants. Experts hope that third-party studios will be able to "restart" Siri and give it a long-awaited technological breakthrough.
Smart Headphones: Translation and sleep mode
Updates also affected audio devices. The new generation of Apple headphones will receive automatic speech translation in real time and a sleep mode that allows you to listen to audio content and fall asleep without unnecessary notifications.
iOS 26 is a statement about the return of aesthetics, the fusion of design with AI, and Apple's attempt to seize the lead in the tech race. The company's focus on visual expression, personalized intelligence, and interface gamification could set the tone for the industry in the coming years.
