For enthusiasts of the Apple ecosystem, the recent WWDC 2025 keynote was nothing short of exhilarating. Apple introduced a stunning Liquid Glass design that’s now consistent across all its devices. In a bold move, they also restructured the numbering scheme, with iOS 26 reflecting the year of release plus one.
While this new OS doesn’t yet offer multitasking — a feature available in iPadOS 26 — it introduces several enhancements that significantly improve the usability of the iPhone.
I’ve been experimenting with the first iOS 26 developer beta on my iPhone 16 Pro for a few days now. Keep in mind that this is an early version aimed at developers, and as with every iteration, more improvements will emerge before the final beta and stable release in the Fall.
1. Liquid Glass Design
The newly unveiled Liquid Glass interface is a delight. The translucent effects truly refresh the experience, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the iPhone 16 Pro. While I can’t yet comment on how this impacts battery life or performance, the design is striking and will likely shine even more on the coming iPhone 17 series.
This redesign not only reinvigorates my iPhone 16 Pro but also signifies a thorough enhancement of the entire user experience. Unlike iOS 18, which introduced features but felt unfinished, Liquid Glass delivers a polished and cohesive visual experience.
Before its launch, I voiced the need for a comprehensive update to address long-standing bugs and inconsistencies that had built up over 12 years. Although still in the developer beta stage, this overhaul clearly addresses several of my concerns.
2. New Preview and Files Apps from iPadOS
In prior iterations, Apple emphasized the iPhone’s productivity capabilities, but with iOS 26, they’ve taken a significant leap forward. The introduction of the new Preview and Files apps from macOS to the iPhone matches Android’s file management capabilities, notwithstanding the limitation that on-device photos remain accessible only through the Photos app.
Having relied on PDF Expert across my devices, the new Preview app won’t allow for text edits in PDFs, but it does facilitate seamless signing and adding text boxes. It strikes a perfect balance with features that cater to most users.
While the Files app isn’t new, its upgrade includes context menus reminiscent of Preview. Users can now set default apps for opening various file types, enhancing functionality with a Mac-like menu accessible via long-pressing files. Both apps synchronize with iCloud Drive, allowing for easy access to my Mac files on my iPhone.
3. Enhanced Dialer, Hold Assist, and Call Screening
Typically, a company wouldn’t focus much on a new dialer, but Apple broke this norm during the iOS 26 reveal. The dialing and contact management experience was fundamentally revamped, resembling the streamlined systems seen in Google’s Pixel phones.
The new unified dialer offers a single view that merges call history, missed calls, and voicemails. If you prefer the original style, Apple gives users the option to revert to previous designs.
Additionally, two new features enhance the user experience: Call Screening and Hold Assist. Much like the Google Pixel series, these features use AI to manage calls effectively. I find Call Screening particularly valuable, as it lessens the number of disturbances from unwanted calls.
The improved haptic notifications ensure that even in silent mode, I can quickly view call transcripts, helping me decide whether to answer. These innovations have long attracted my attention, making iOS 26 a significant upgrade.
Usability and Efficiency Enhancements
While not a standout feature, the array of small improvements throughout iOS 26 enhances the overall experience. The context menus in Files and Preview have boosted functionality across the system. General usability gains make interactions more intuitive and efficient.
Historically, iOS lacked some customizability compared to Android, but with iOS 26, this gap is narrowing. Users can now find useful drop-down menus popping up when needed, such as dialing numbers displayed on websites. No longer limited to calling or copying a number, users can now choose apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.
iOS 26 embodies numerous subtle improvements that make daily tasks smoother, giving the iPhone a portable Mac-like feel. While it falls short of offering multitasking — one of the key features I was eager to see — the developer beta so far promises to be a highly beneficial update for the iPhone.
Will the iOS 26 beta be worth trying for most users? The answer is yes, especially given the exciting new features and enhancements it brings.
With these advancements, you’re probably wondering how iOS 26 compares to previous versions. The new features provide a more cohesive experience with enhanced design and functionality that could entice users to upgrade.
Are there any standout features that harm battery life? While I haven’t experienced any significant issues yet, the final release will likely offer optimizations that balance aesthetics and performance.
Is iOS 26 ready for everyday use? At this stage, it shows great promise, but waiting for the final beta may be wise for those seeking absolute stability.
Overall, iOS 26 has dramatically transformed my iPhone experience, making it more productive and engaging. As Apple fans eagerly await the full release, expect a flurry of new updates and improvements before the official launch.
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