iOS 26 is bringing a bold new ‘Liquid Glass’ look, just ahead of iPhone’s biggest redesign yet

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 kicks off later tonight, and last-minute leaks are painting a clearer picture of what might be the star of the show, a revamped iOS.

According to Bloomberg, iOS 26 is all set to debut a new interface dubbed “Liquid Glass”, a design shift that brings sheen, depth, and a more immersive look to the iPhone experience.

Less flat, more fluid

As the name suggests, Liquid Glass takes a step away from Apple’s long-running flat design language. Gurman describes it as an interface featuring glossy, translucent effects, resembling a sheet of glass with a touch of polish.

This new aesthetic is reportedly applied system-wide, from toolbars to in-app elements, marking a visual evolution that aims to bring iOS in sync with visionOS. The goal? A more unified Apple ecosystem where every device feels part of the same family.

But this isn’t just about looks. Gurman notes that the design overhaul is paving the way for something bigger, Apple’s ambitious iPhone redesign set for 2027.

Internally codenamed “Glasswing,” the concept phone is expected to feature an all-glass build, curved edges, under-display camera, and practically invisible bezels. Liquid Glass is likely Apple’s first step toward acclimating users to that future.

A distraction from AI delays?

While the new interface might steal headlines, it also potentially serves another purpose, covering for Apple’s sluggish AI rollout. The company is still lagging behind on delivering “Apple Intelligence,” including a revamped Siri it teased last year. Gurman suggests that this year’s WWDC might play it safe on AI, opting instead to showcase a sleeker, more capable OS.

The conference begins at 10:30 pm IST tonight, with Apple CEO Tim Cook expected to take the stage to unveil the latest software developments.