Liquid Glass: A New Visual Language for iOS 26
Apple’s iOS 26 introduces Liquid Glass, a visual language described as transparent and dynamic. Icons, buttons, and menus shimmer and shift in response to light and the content around them, creating a sense of depth without clutter. The result is a cleaner, more tactile interface that adapts as you move through apps. Reactions to the redesign are mixed—some celebrate the fresh feel, while others take a wait-and-see approach. Small touches, such as buttons that subtly retreat when unused, reflect Apple’s focus on reducing visual noise while preserving usability.
Group Chats Get a Major Upgrade
Custom Backgrounds
In Messages, group conversations can now have individualized backdrops. This lets you tailor chats for different circles—friends, family, or colleagues—without changing your overall device theme, bringing more personality and clarity to each thread.
Polls in Threads
For the first time, you can create polls directly within a message thread. Whether deciding on dinner plans or picking a meeting time, polls streamline decisions and keep everyone on the same page without leaving the conversation.
Real-Time Translation Across Messages and FaceTime
Powered by Apple Intelligence, real-time translation breaks down language barriers in Messages and FaceTime. You can chat with friends or colleagues who speak different languages, with translations appearing in-line and during calls. This feature extends the reach of group conversations beyond borders and time zones, making collaboration easier than ever.
Practical, Everyday Improvements
Spam Calls and Messages
iOS 26 adds smarter filtering to reduce spam calls and messages. The system learns from your interactions and prioritizes messages from people you know, helping you stay focused on meaningful connections rather than interruptions.
Better Handling of Wait Times
When contacting a service, iOS 26 helps manage long queues. You can place the call on hold and receive a notification when it’s your turn, creating a smoother customer-service experience without constant phone monitoring.
Global Reach and User Impact
With more than 1.5 billion iPhone users worldwide, these changes will ripple through everyday life as updates roll out. Early adopters will experience faster group decisions, clearer multilingual conversations, and an interface that feels more responsive and modern. For others, the transition may take time, but the core ideas—simplified, more expressive group chats and smarter communications—are set to become standard practice on iPhone.
Conclusion
iOS 26 marks a notable evolution in how we interact with our devices. Liquid Glass sets a new visual tone, while improvements to group chats—custom backgrounds, in-thread polls, and real-time translation—promise to make conversations more expressive and efficient. Whether you love the new aesthetics or prefer the familiar, these changes are likely to redefine everyday messaging, collaboration, and customer interactions on iPhone.
