Last week, Apple held an ‘Awe Dropping’ event to unveil the iPhone 17 series, Apple Watch Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3. The firm also revealed the release date of iOS 26 for the iPhone 17 series and other compatible phones, as well as watchOS 26 for the Watch Series 11. iOS 26 is expected to be one of Apple’s most significant operating system updates in the past few years, including a new UI and increased AI utilisation over supported iPhone models.
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iOS 26 release date, features and compatible devices
iOS 26 will be released starting September 15th. It will be available via an over-the-air (OTA) software update. The iOS 26 update is compatible with iPhone 11 series or newer, iPhone SE (2nd generation) or newer, and iPhone 16e models. The list contains iPhone 16e, 16, 16, 16, 16, Pro, Max, 15, 15, 14, 14, 13, 13, 12 small, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 11, 11, 11, Pro, 11 Pro Max, and iPhone SE (2nd generation and later), as well as the recently released iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. Users may verify if their phone is on the list to ensure compatibility.
According to the company, the global availability of some features, particularly those based on translation and artificial intelligence models, may be limited.
Apple has released a new design language called ‘Liquid Glass‘, which gives applications, icons, and controls a translucent look similar to glass. The goal is to provide fluidity and consistency across devices. The Lock Screen has a dynamic time display that adjusts to the wallpaper, and notifications move position to remain visible. The Home Screen now has updated app icons with options for bright and dark looks, colour tints, and a clear, see-through design. Control centre features and in-app controls have been redesigned to adapt to their surroundings by reflecting and refracting colours and forms, and changing fluidly to concentrate on content.
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Parents may now simply control their children’s accounts. Controls have been reinforced for communication limits, app safety, and App Store purchases. Braille support has been extended, vehicle motion cues have been added, and there are more reading experience options available.
Apple has added additional artificial intelligence (AI) offerings under its “Apple Intelligence” umbrella, such as Live Translation, which can instantly translate text in Messages into another language, give captions during FaceTime chats, and deliver spoken translations in the Phone app. When wearing AirPods, these translations will be read out in real time with a natural voice. The technology also allows users to interact with the content on the screen, like adding event details to calendars or transforming email lists into reminders. It also supports cross-app search and image creation, with image Playground allowing users to pair up emoji and text descriptions to create personalised visuals.
The application has added numerous features such as Call Screening, which automatically answers unfamiliar phone calls, and Messages, which categorises unknown contacts. The “Hold Assist” function substitutes waiting in line for customer service by informing consumers when an agent is available. Group chats now include polls for participant voting and customisable conversations with images or built-in backdrops.
iOS 26 includes new features for CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, Wallet, and Apple Games. Maps now analyses users’ travel patterns and informs them of potential delays. The Wallet app has been revamped to include enhanced boarding passes, luggage monitoring, airport maps, and travel information sharing. The Games app tracks gaming, recognises friends, and makes suggestions. When connected with AirPods equipped with the H2 chip, users may now begin video recording straight from their earphones and enhance audio recording, allowing for high-quality sound capture during chats and within the Camera app. Apple Music now includes AutoMix, which effortlessly combines tracks using beat-matching and time-stretching algorithms and translates lyrics into the user’s preferred language for international music.
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watchOS 26 release date, features and compatible devices
The worldwide stable version of watchOS 26 will be available on September 15 for Apple Watch Series 6 or newer, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) or newer, and all Apple Watch Ultras. To link the smartwatch, customers will require an iPhone 11 running iOS 26.
WatchOS 26 is a new operating system for Apple Watch that includes a full makeover with Liquid Glass, which affects a variety of watch functionalities such as the Photos watch face, Smart Stack widgets, alerts, Control Centre, and in-app controls. It also includes two new watch faces, Flow and Exactograph, as well as updates to over 20 others. AI-powered Hold Assist and Call Screening tools are also available, which eliminate the need for users to wait for a live representative when contacting customer support. The upgrade needs a connection with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. The wrist flick gesture is also supported, which allows users to dismiss notifications, pause timers, and quiet alarms. Live Translation in Messages is also available, but it only works with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone.
