iOS 26 Release in India by Next Week with Liquid Glass Design: Check Compatible iPhones

Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event wrapped up on Tuesday with a focus on mobile devices including the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. At this annual event, the Cupertino-based tech giant unveiled eight new products in total. The company launched the iPhone 17 series, the Apple Watch Series 11, and the AirPods Pro 3 during the pre-recorded event. Besides this, Apple also announced the iOS 26 Release date which will power the iPhone 17 series and other compatible handsets.

Apple iPhone 17 Series launch

Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 17 series, marking a significant expansion of their smartphone lineup. The company announced four new iPhone models: the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Also Read: Redmi Note 15 Pro and 15 Pro Plus with 7,000mAh battery launched in China

Four New iPhone 17 Models:

• iPhone 17 (Standard Model): The iPhone 17 features the new Center Stage front camera, a 48MP Fusion Main camera, and a new 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera. . The iPhone 17 sells for $799 in the US markets. It is the entry-level option in the new lineup.
• iPhone 17 Air (New Addition): Apple called the iPhone 17 Air the company’s “thinnest iPhone ever”. It is thinner and lighter than Apple’s other devices, and it’s based on a new titanium body. This newest addition in the lineup starts at $999. This model represents a completely new category in Apple’s iPhone lineup, focusing on ultra-portability.
• iPhone 17 Pro: The iPhone 17 Pro features A19 Pro, the most powerful and efficient chip for iPhone yet, enabling the advanced camera systems, next-level mobile performance. The iPhone Pro costs $1,099. Also Read: Vivo T4x vs Redmi 15 5G – The Best 5G Phone under Rs 15,000
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: The iPhone 17 Pro Max shares the same A19 Pro chip and advanced features as the Pro model but in a larger form factor with a striking new design that delivers a dramatic leap in performance.

With this lineup, Apple continues to push the boundaries of its software especially the iOS 26. Apple usually releases multiple beta builds for its software before rolling out the final stable update. The same is the case with iOS 26, the new operating system. In this article we will discuss about the latest iOS 26 Release date and its features. Also Read: Infinix HOT 60i 5G Launched In India Under Rs 10,000 With Features: Check Specs, Features, Price

Apple iOS 26 Release Date

Apple unveiled the iOS 26 update during the WWDC 25 (Worldwide Developers Conference) on June 9, 2025. Since then, the company has released several developer and public beta versions of the update. After this event, the trending question is when does iOS 26 come out? Now, the Cupertino-based tech players are scheduled to release Apple iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 on Monday, September 15. The new Operating system will bring a host of new features to existing iPhones and iPads.

During the iPhone 17 series launch event, Apple announced that iOS 26 will be available as an over-the-air (OTA) software update. The developer of software says that some functions might not be available in all languages or areas, and that availability might change depending on local laws and rules. Also Read: Vivo V50 vs Vivo V60 – The Ultimate Camera Smartphone?

The iOS 26 update will be delivered to compatible devices and brings a host of visual and functional changes. Before exploring these features, let’s first check out if your device is compatible for the next generation iOS 26 update. Also Read: OnePlus 15 Display Specifications And Design Renders Leaked: Check All Leaks Here

Is My iPhone Compatible With iOS 26?

Apple’s latest iOS 26 works with the iPhone 11 series or newer, the iPhone SE (2nd generation) or newer, and the iPhone 16e. Here is a complete list of iPhones that will get the iOS 26 upgrade. Also Read: Realme P4 5G and P4 Pro 5G mobile phones launched in India

iPhone 17 Series (2025)

• iPhone 17
• iPhone 17 Air
• iPhone 17 Pro
• iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 16 Series (2024)

• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 15 Series (2023)

• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 14 Series (2022)

• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 13 Series (2021)

• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 12 Series (2020)

• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 11 Series (2019)

• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone SE Models

• iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020)
• iPhone SE (3rd generation, 2022)

It’s important to note that the compatibility list doesn’t guarantee access to every iOS 26 feature. Many of the new capabilities remain exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series, as they depend on Apple Intelligence. Overall, iOS 26 maintains the A13 Bionic chip requirement, making iPhone 11 series the oldest compatible devices. Also Read: iPhone 17 vs Pixel 10: The Battle of Flagships

Apple iOS 26 Features

Apple’s iOS 26 brings a range of updates designed to enhance the lock screen and home screen experience. Centered on personalization, functionality, and visual refinement, these features aim to make your device more intuitive and engaging. During the iPhone 17 Series launch event, Apple also mentioned about these features. iPhone users will get access to these with the upcoming iPhone OS update.

Liquid Glass Design

The most notable advancement in iOS 26 is the introduction of a new design language, termed ‘Liquid Glass’. This glossy, translucent interface gives iOS a fresh, modern look. Fluid animations and depth effects extend across the lock screen, widgets, notifications, and system apps. Also Read: Vivo V60 vs OPPO Reno 14 – The Best Camera Smartphone

Apple calls Liquid Glass a design approach that makes the operating system feel more immersive and personal. This will enhance the visual experience without compromising usability. It’s a bold aesthetic shift that sets iOS 26 apart from previous versions. Also Read: OPPO Find X9 specifications leak ahead of launch; Bigger Battery, Slim Design

Apple Intelligence Features

iOS 26 introduces Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-powered features that simplify daily tasks. These tools include intelligent summaries of messages and notifications, context-aware actions that adapt to your activity, and real-time translation integrated across apps. These advanced features need high-performance hardware. Henceforth, these are available exclusively on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, the full iPhone 16 lineup, and the newly launched iPhone 17 series.

Messages and Phone Apps Upgrades

With iOS 26 update, Apple has redesigned the Messages app, introducing new features that make conversations more expressive and interactive. Users can now personalize chat backgrounds, create in-chat polls, apply unique themes to conversations, and view typing indicators in group chats. Additionally, Apple Cash is integrated directly into Messages for effortless peer-to-peer payments.

The Phone app introduces two standout features:

• Call Screening, which leverages AI to block spam and unwanted calls.
• Hold Assist, a smart tool that waits on your behalf during long customer service calls until a human representative is available.

These upgrades make the core communication apps more powerful and user-friendly. Also Read: OnePlus Nord CE 5 vs OPPO K13 Turbo: Detailed Comparison

Improvements Across Other Apps

iOS 26, launching on September 15, 2025, introduces significant updates across various native and third-party apps. Apple Music has introduced several enhancements to its playlist recommendations and navigation, particularly with the release of iOS 26. Also Read: Realme GT 8 Official Launch Expected in October 2025 with Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Chipset and 7,000mAh Battery

Maps has been enhanced to make sharing locations and planning routes simpler and more intuitive. The Camera app now boasts a redesigned interface with adaptive controls, making it simpler than ever to capture the perfect shot. Meanwhile, the new Games app serves as a central hub for Apple Arcade and Game Center, streamlining access to your favorite titles and tracking achievements effortlessly.

Apple iOS 26 Visual Changes

Apart from the new Liquid Glass design language, other features with bars, sliders, and other UI elements, iOS 26 brings some visual changes as well. Let’s discuss about some of the new visual changes in detail. Also Read: Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale offers and deals, dates to be revealed soon

Lock Screen: Smarter, More Functional, and Visually Refined

Starting with the Lock Screen feature, it has been thoughtfully redesigned with the new iOS 26 update. The new update brings practical balance between visual sophistication. It will offer a more dynamic and user-friendly interface.

• Charging Time Display: With iOS 26 update, this feature delivers real-time battery updates on the lock screen, including estimated times to reach specific charge levels, keeping user informed without opening extra menus.
• Customizable Clock Design: The clock now features larger, customizable fonts with adjustable thickness, colors, and background styles. From glass-like transparency to bold solid designs, iPhone users can personalize the clock style.
• 3D Spatial Wallpapers: Wallpapers now feature a subtle 3D effect that reacts to device movement, adding depth, motion, and a dynamic, life like feel to the lock screen.
• Widget Placement Flexibility: With iOS 26 update, Widgets are now repositionable for better accessibility. Moving the widgets to the bottom of the lock screen is easily possible with one-hand usage.
• Interactive Music Player: Apple Music now offers full-screen album art and animated visuals, turning the lock screen into an immersive, vibrant music hub.

Home Screen: Where Personalization Meets Functionality

In iOS 26, the home screen is redesigned to emphasize customization and seamless design integration. These new customization and design changes are visually appealing user experience. Notable improvements include:

• Modernized App Icons: Stock app icons now sport a sleek liquid-glass effect, creating a modern look. With iOS 26, the iPhone users can also customize them to match light mode, dark mode, or tinted themes.
• Wallpaper Tinting: Wallpapers now auto-adjust to improve app icon visibility, ensuring a balanced and cohesive look no matter what is the colour of background wallpaper. Also Read: iPhone 13 With Smaller Notch, Improved Camera System Expected
• Parallax Effect: In iOS 26, Wallpaper elements now respond to device tilting with subtle movements, adding depth and interactivity to the home screen for a more immersive yet balanced experience.
• Web Apps Integration: Safari now allows websites to be added as standalone web apps. This makes it easier to access frequently used tools and services directly, without relying on traditional browser tabs.
• Wallpaper Customization: With iOS 26, Home screen personalization is simpler than ever. Wallpapers can be edited directly from the home screen settings, without needing to go through lock screen options.

Additional System Enhancements

iOS 26 makes enhancements not just to the lock and home screens, but also to the whole system, making the user experience better overall. These includes:

• Control Center Redesign: The Control Center has been updated with a refined liquid glass effect and dynamic highlights. The iOS 26 update brings a more cohesive design language across the system. Beyond enhancing visual appeal, these changes also improve usability by making system controls clearer and more distinguishable.
• Interactive Highlights: Icons and widgets now incorporate dynamic highlights that respond to device movement. iOS 26 introduces a tactile and responsive dimension to user interactions.
• Improved Accessibility Features: iOS 26 introduces refined accessibility tools, such as enhanced voice control and customizable display settings, making sure that the operating system is inclusive and user-friendly for all individuals.
• Performance Optimizations: System-wide performance optimizations deliver smoother animations, faster application launches, and greater battery efficiency.

Now, the main question is how to get iOS 26 on your smartphone. Let’s check out how to download iOS 26 update.

How to Download and Install iOS 26?

Before proceeding with the fresh iOS 26 installation, make sure to create a backup of your iPhone data on the iCloud.

• Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
• Head to the “General” menu and then tap on “Software Update”.
• Now, tap on “Download and Install”.
• The iOS 26 update will automatically download and install on your iPhone.
• Once downloaded, your device will reboot to apply the update.

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