iOS 26 will roll out in a few weeks as a complimentary update for all eligible iPhones, with the iPhone 17 series being among the initial devices to utilize the new operating system. As with every fresh mobile OS, iOS 26 unveils numerous new functionalities that competitors might seek to incorporate. This continues the familiar cat-and-mouse dynamic we have observed over the years between Apple and Google, the two powerhouses behind the leading mobile platforms.
While both firms continue to draw inspiration from each other, Android users have already experienced various features that iPhone users will find once they upgrade to iOS 26. This includes dynamic wallpapers, Visual Intelligence support, Call Screening and Hold Assist, spam detection and filter for unknown senders, as well as Live Translation assistance in Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone application.
iOS 26 arguably presents the most significant design transformation since iOS 7. Known as Liquid Glass, the new aesthetics introduce translucent features to every menu and button, giving the user interface a rejuvenated appearance. One of the prime locations to exhibit the glass and light effects is on the lock screen — enhanced by the new dynamic wallpapers.
Post-update, users will notice new effects when changing their wallpapers. Initially, the San Francisco font showing the time will automatically resize based on the background elements. The typeface will also adjust its size with incoming notifications. Furthermore, the software employs AI to convert 2D visuals into 3D experiences. Google’s Pixel phones debuted Cinematic wallpapers in June 2023, enabling users to transform their 2D images into 3D visuals. Additionally, the new clock design paired with dynamic wallpapers bears a striking resemblance to Xiaomi’s design on HyperOS 2.0, which began its rollout in early 2025.
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