iOS 26 official version is released, and Apple enters the "liquid glass" era.
At this year's WWDC in May, Apple introduced the most significant design change since iOS 7 for its entire range of products, including phones, tablets, and computers: Liquid Glass.
Over the next four months, iOS 26 released as many as eight developer beta versions and three public beta versions.
Rather than saying that the system's visual appeal and stability became "perfect" with each release, it's more accurate to say that each version fixed various strange bugs from the previous one and "flip-flopped" on some aesthetic choices that weren't really bugs.
One week after the September fall product launch event and three days before the official release of the new iPhone 17 series, Apple finally finalized everything and pushed the official version of iOS 26 (23A341) to all compatible devices. As for the iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air, they came pre - installed with the official version of iOS 26 (23A330) before their release.
Image | Wikipedia
After multiple rounds of adjustments and refinements, this highly anticipated new visual system has finally arrived.
Right away, ifanr also conducted a hands - on test of the first public beta version of iOS 26.
Summary:
- Comprehensive upgrade of the "Liquid Glass" design language
- Major overhaul of the camera app interface, making it more concise and intuitive
- Return of the navigation bar in the photo album app, with clearer categorization and higher usage efficiency
- New spatial photos added to the photo album, converting 2D photos into a 3D effect and can be used as wallpapers
- New game app for one - stop game and social management
- New preview app for quick viewing and editing of PDF files
- Upgrades in the official version of iOS 26 compared to the developer preview version:
- Better balance between the texture and readability of the Liquid Glass design
- Power consumption and heat generation return to normal levels
- Full Chinese localization of the settings interface
- Optimization of the pre - selection box in the built - in input method of native software
- Fix of the bug where the icons in the desktop Dock were offset, and restored the centered arrangement when there were less than four icons
- Fix of the bugs related to auxiliary screenshot and AirPods connection
- Return of the logic of swiping up to enter the background, with the previous app displayed by default
- Fix of the garbled text problem in the contacts
- Fix of the problem where the battery icon in the control center disappeared
- Return of the colon in the lock screen time to the centered position
Naming
If following the numerical sequence, the version number of the new iOS should have been 19. However, Apple deviated from this convention and chose to name it after next year's year, "26".
Americans are already used to this new naming method: the automotive industry has always done this, releasing models for the 26 (or even 27) year in 25 (or even the first half of 25). The logic behind this is that you don't want consumers to feel that their phone/car has become "outdated" soon after purchase.
The Arrival of the Liquid Glass Era
If you remember the flat - design wave brought by iOS 7, then the "Liquid Glass" design of iOS 26 will be another revolutionary change worthy of being recorded in Apple's design history.
This new design language, inspired by the Vision Pro's design concept, is named "Solarium" by Apple, aiming to bring an unprecedented sense of transparency and vitality to the user interface.
You can feel this visual impact the moment you light up the screen.
The time and widgets seem to float above the screen, presenting a semi - transparent, delicate glass texture.
The Dock at the bottom and the folders have also evolved into this transparent form, and even the edges of the icons have an HDR effect, shining under the light.
As a system - level design language, Liquid Glass has been integrated into every aspect of iOS 26:
Notification Center: When you pull it down, there is a clear glass refraction effect at the edges, as if you are sliding a real piece of glass in the real world.
Control Center: Each switch is like a smooth glass block, and it will respond in real - time during interaction, rendering a realistic light and shadow effect.
Native Apps: When you drag the bottom navigation bar in the App Store, the icons will flow smoothly under your fingertips like liquid. Whether it's Apple Music, Maps, or Health, you can feel this transparency and liveliness.
Apple doesn't want the UI to just be a layer floating on the glass. Instead, it truly integrates the glass into the interface: it can transmit light, has depth, moves, and "comes alive".
This is exactly the narrative style that Apple is best at.
Of course, not all users can accept the significant changes and impact of the Liquid Glass design. Currently, the latest version before iOS 26 is iOS 18.7, which still uses the previous design language and overall system style.
Based on past experience, non - latest version systems will still receive at least 3 - 5 years of signature verification and support from Apple, including experience optimization, security updates, etc., but usually there won't be any major new features or small - version updates for features that haven't been developed yet.
In other words, theoretically, if you don't like iOS 26, you can continue to use iOS 18 for many years; you can also upgrade to iOS 26 and then downgrade to iOS 18 if you don't like it.
However, if you buy a new iPhone 17 series/Air, you'll probably have to stick with iOS 26.
Return to Simplicity and Intuition: A Complete Overhaul of the Camera and Photo Album
In addition to the stunning visual effects, iOS 26 has also made extensive changes to two core apps, addressing the increasing bloat issues in previous versions.
A More Pure Camera App
Apple has rearranged the complex camera modes, and the main interface has been extremely simplified, leaving only two core buttons, "Photo" and "Video".
Other modes (such as Portrait and Panorama) are hidden by default and can be accessed by swiping left or right on the main interface. This not only retains the functionality but also makes daily shooting simpler and more straightforward.
In addition, the layout of other buttons has become clearer:
The top - right corner has permanent shortcut controls such as the flash.
The adjacent control bar can expand a secondary menu, accommodating all the professional parameters in the current mode, making them easy to see at a glance.
The top - left corner allows for quick switching between video and photo specifications and resolutions.
The issues of repeated controls and complex modes in the camera interface of previous versions have finally been resolved in iOS 26.
Left: iOS 18 / Right: Public beta version of iOS 26
Additionally, Apple updated the 2.0 version of Final Cut Camera during last week's product launch event. This is a free app for professional film and video production, supporting a large number of customizable features, including white balance, manual focus, etc.
FCC can also fully utilize the powerful ProRes RAW raw data recording format newly added to the iPhone 17 Pro/Max series, bringing unprecedented post - production freedom to mobile video recording.
A More User - Friendly Photo Album
Unlike the much - criticized waterfall layout in iOS 18, the Liquid Glass navigation bar at the bottom has officially returned in the photo album of iOS 26.
The new photo album completely separates the "Library" from the "Albums". The "Library" has returned to its pure form, allowing you to view all photos and videos in chronological order without any distractions;
The previous categorizations such as albums, media types, and people have all been integrated into the powerful "Albums", which also supports customization, allowing you to pin frequently used modules to the top.
Although it hasn't completely reverted to the familiar layout, it's much more user - friendly than before.
Moreover, the photo album has added an interesting feature - spatial photos.
With just a tap of a button, ordinary 2D photos can gain a 3D effect, and this feature can also be applied to wallpapers, bringing a more interesting experience when you pick up your phone.
Two New Additions: Apple's "Steam" and an Efficiency Tool
In addition to optimizing existing apps, iOS 26 has also introduced two brand - new apps.
"Games": A One - Stop Game Center
In recent years, Apple's ambition in the game market has been obvious.
Whether it's the fact that about two - thirds of the App Store's revenue comes from games and in - game transactions, or the huge potential game - playing user base of over a billion, it's clear that games are an area that can't be ignored.
On iOS 26, the Game Center, which used to pop up a window every time a game was launched, has finally been transformed into an independent "Games" app.
Here, you can:
Manage all installed games in one place
View detailed game playtime and achievements
Get personalized game recommendations and the latest news
Keep track of your friends' game activities at any time
In short, you can think of it as Apple's Steam.
It's worth noting that this app will also be available on Mac for managing games installed on Mac.
This not only provides a much - needed management center for the large number of game players on iPhone but also demonstrates Apple's determination to make iPhone and Mac more competitive game platforms.
"Preview": The Mac Efficiency Tool Comes to iPhone
The other new app is much more low - key and practical - Preview.
Yes, the Mac efficiency tool that we're all very familiar with has finally arrived on iPhone. It offers more powerful PDF viewing and lightweight editing functions, allowing you to quickly and efficiently process PDF files on your phone without relying on third - party apps.
A Well - Polished Public Beta Version of iOS 26
The content and visual effects of the official version/late public beta/developer preview version of iOS 26 are basically the same. If you've installed a late - stage preview version and can adapt to it, you can safely upgrade.
Of course, if you want to stay on the preview version upgrade path to experience iOS 26.1 and 26.2 at the end of the year, you can decide for yourself.
A series of bugs that appeared in the developer preview version have been fixed in the official version/public beta version:
Fix of the garbled text problem in the contacts' avatars
Fix of the problem where the battery icon in the control center disappeared
Return of the