Culture Craze
Apple iOS 26 ‘Liquid Glass,’ Everything You Need to Know About the New Update
A bold new look
Apple has officially rolled out iOS 26, and it is not just another incremental update. The new operating system, dubbed Liquid Glass, brings a striking transparent aesthetic across all Apple devices. For users who love personalisation, this release is all about control. From the lock screen to notifications, transparency levels can now be adjusted to suit your taste, creating a sleek, modern feel that feels distinctly Apple.
Everyday navigation made easier
Beyond the look, the update focuses heavily on usability. The search bar, previously relocated in select apps, now appears consistently at the bottom of the screen across all first-party apps. This small tweak might not sound revolutionary, but it makes navigation more intuitive. Apps like Photos and Settings feel instantly more familiar, and muscle memory takes over.
The three-dot menu remains, but it has become more powerful. In the Phone app, for instance, users can toggle between a classic layout and a unified view that groups important calls together. It is Apple’s way of balancing nostalgia with efficiency.
Tackling spam and long holds
One of the standout features is the upgraded call management system. In Settings, the Phone app now includes advanced options for handling unknown numbers. The call filtering function automatically shifts spam or unrecognised numbers into a separate category, reducing clutter in your call history.
Perhaps even more impressive is the Detect Call Waiting feature. Anyone tired of listening to hold music will appreciate this. The phone recognises when you have been placed on hold, allows you to step away, and then alerts you when a real voice returns. It even asks the other party to hold while you get back on the line.
Camera and screenshots get smarter
While the Camera app’s core functions remain unchanged, its interface has been redesigned to be simpler, offering just two main modes: photo and video. Additional options are just a swipe away, making it cleaner to use.
Screenshots have also been upgraded. Once you capture an image, you can now save it directly to different folders, add it to your calendar, or use Apple Intelligence to search for details within the screenshot. You can even launch a Google search straight from the image.
Why it matters
Apple users have long debated whether major iOS updates are more cosmetic than practical. iOS 26 seems to hit a balance. The transparent design is undeniably eye-catching, but the real value lies in the practical tools, smarter call handling, simplified navigation, and more versatile screenshots.
For South African iPhone owners, the update arrives at a time when phones are more than just gadgets. They are business tools, communication hubs, and lifelines for daily life. The new Liquid Glass design may catch your eye first, but it is the small, thoughtful changes that will keep you using it every day.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: PCMag
