Apple’s iOS 26 is now in beta, and it brings a massive upgrade over iOS 18, starting with the new Liquid Glass design.
Brandon Butch has completed another iOS deep dive, this time comparing iOS 26 to iOS 18 side-by-side (which is super helpful to see the real differences), showing off more than 125 new features and changes. While it looks cleaner and more modern on the surface, the real improvements are under the hood — with smarter tools, smoother controls, and better personalization across the system.
Here’s what he covers:
- Redesigns and UI changes: He kicks things off with the major visual overhaul, including updated app icons, lock screen, notification animations, keyboard, and Control Center.
- New customization options: Viewers see how they can now customize app icons, background sounds, and enjoy a more personalized AOD (Always-On Display) experience.
- Big changes to core apps: He dives into redesigns and upgrades in Camera, Photos, Safari, Notes, Reminders, Mail, Messages, Phone, FaceTime, Music, Maps, Wallet, and more.
- New features in Messages: Brandon highlights group chat improvements, the new MixMoji feature, and expanded message settings.
- Music updates: He showcases new features like AutoMix, Music Haptics, and his personal favorite music change.
- Accessibility and intelligence: He covers Battery Intelligence, new AirPods features, Accessibility tools, and subtle Settings changes.
- App additions and upgrades: He introduces viewers to the new Games app, Preview app, and updates to Clock, Shortcuts, Passwords, Calculator, and CarPlay.
- Live Translation: A standout feature is real-time translation for phone calls, adding to FaceTime and phone capabilities.
- Final thoughts: He wraps up with some hidden gems, animations, and teases even more updates on the way.
Grab a drink or a snack, sit back and watch Brandon’s nearly 1-hour video below:
Updates to clock… like fixing it so that the alarm actually goes off when it’s supposed to? I’m tired of it not ringing on random mornings