Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26 officially in mid-September, coinciding with the launch of its next iPhone lineup. An exact date is likely to be confirmed during the company’s annual product event in early September.
As per the Engadget report, users who choose to keep using unsupported models should be aware that they will miss out on critical security updates and future app compatibility. This may expose devices to increased vulnerability over time.
Apple’s iOS 26 update brings a series of design and functionality upgrades to streamline user experience and improve cross-device consistency. One of the visual changes is the introduction of the “Liquid Glass” design, which revamps the home screen with updated app icons, dark mode options, transparent effects and floating-style buttons.
The Phone app has also been redesigned, allowing users to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemails within a single view. A new “Hold Assist” feature notifies users when a support agent joins the call, eliminating the need to stay on hold.
Another addition is the “Live Translate” feature that enables real-time translation of conversations during phone calls or text exchanges with speakers of different languages. Group chats in the Messages app will also see the rollout of a polls feature to simplify group decision-making without the usual flood of back-and-forth messages.
