Apple’s latest iOS version includes sweeping changes that improve nearly every aspect of your iPhone. These are my favorites.
The iOS 26 public beta is here, and it’s not just another round of subtle tweaks. This year’s update brings some of the most significant changes to how your iPhone looks and feels in a long time. Between the flashy new interface, reworked apps, and surprisingly fun touches in familiar places, Apple is betting big on personalization and polish. I’ve been testing the beta for some time, and these features impressed me the most.1. Liquid Glass: A Transformative New Look
Liquid Glass is Apple’s new interface design, and it completely transforms the iPhone. Notifications, apps, pop-up menus, buttons, and just about everything else you might click are now transparent and layered, creating a fresh, eye-catching appearance.
As I tested the beta, I noticed that the glass effect makes it appear that icons subtly shift in depth as you tilt your screen. Likewise, the interface elements glow or blur based on background content, and the translucent effects give apps a sleek, almost holographic feel. I also customized the Home Screen apps to be fully transparent and go all-in on the Liquid Glass aesthetic. It’s a major aesthetic shift from the flatter, more static design seen in recent iOS versions and a welcome addition.2. Messages: New Visual and Usability Options
With iOS 26, the Messages app is more customizable than ever before. I changed the background of a few chats, either by selecting from the dynamic preset options or using a photo from my library. The result was far more personalized Messages.
I really appreciated how easy it was to rearrange the menu bar items within a message thread by dragging and dropping them into the order I preferred.
