iOS 26 first impressions: A bold redesign meets smart features

Apple has officially previewed iOS 26, and it’s clear that this a visual and functional overhaul, instead of being an incremental update. With a fresh design language, powerful Apple Intelligence integrations, and updates across core apps like Phone, Messages, Maps, and Wallet, iOS 26 is shaping up to be Apple’s most ambitious update in recent years.

We installed the iOS 26 Developer Beta on our iPhone, and here are early impressions.

The Liquid Glass UI is interesting to say the least

Let’s start with the UI. The system-wide redesign, powered by a new material called Liquid Glass, brings a translucent, almost ethereal aesthetic to app icons, widgets, and UI elements. It’s fresh, for an iPhone, but not entirely unfamiliar.

If you’ve ever used Windows Vista, you’ll find some nostalgic parallels. It has a similar naming scheme as well. Window’s version was called Aero Glass, and Apple has called its variation, Liquid Glass.

It looks good and feels modern. However, as with any designs, any visual overhaul is likely to be polarising. The transparency effects might take time to grow on people. In day-to-day use, stutters are noticeable, especially when changing icon styles, but things smoothen out as the system settles in. Typical beta quirks.

The Lock Screen and Home Screen are more expressive than ever. Wallpapers now have spatial depth, and time elements adapt fluidly to available space. That said, the redesigned Camera app may require some getting used to, especially for long-time Apple users. Newcomers might find it intuitive, but if you’ve built up muscle memory from previous versions, expect a learning curve.

Apple Intelligence powered features look promising

Apple Intelligence, the company’s on-device AI, is baked deep into iOS 26. While we weren’t able to test all features, since some are reserved for newer hardware, what’s promised on paper looks genuinely useful. I’m personally looking forward to Call Screening and Hold Assist.

These features aim to declutter communication and seem ideal for managing unwanted calls or those endless hold times with customer support.

Live Translation is another standout, now integrated across FaceTime, Messages, and Phone. Again, we couldn’t test it firsthand, but the idea of seamless, on-device translation sounds incredibly promising, especially for frequent travellers or multicultural workplaces.

ALSO READ: What iPhones will get iOS 26?

The new Phone app now merges Favourites, Recents, and Voicemails in a single view. Meanwhile, Messages gets better screening tools, custom backgrounds, and even polling options, powered by Apple Intelligence. It’s a clear push towards more contextual, expressive communication. And, we welcome it with open hands.

What about the performance?

Performance-wise, battery life has held up well during testing. One neat addition was the charging status update. The OS now shows your charging speed and how long it’ll take to hit a certain battery percentage, for example 100 per cent, if optimised charging isn’t on, and 80 if you have turned it on.

A pleasant surprise was the improvement in network reception. Inside our workplace, with iOS 18.5 we would get two to three bars of reception, but after the iOS 26 update, it stays pinned at four bars, which believe us, is a significant improvement in day-to-day use.

Audio gets a notable boost too. Voice Isolation on both the phone’s built-in mic and AirPods worked surprisingly well in our testing, delivering clear, studio-like quality in calls and recordings.

iOS 26 early impressions

Overall, iOS 26 feels like a bold step forward, even in its current beta form. While some kinks still need ironing out, the update shows immense promise. A lot will depend on how Apple polishes the experience before its final release, but from where we stand, iOS 26 is one of the most exciting iPhone updates in recent memory.