Apple's WWDC event will kick off on Monday, and ahead of the big day, a new report shares details on what users should look forward to. iOS 26 will be the highlight of the event, as it will be the next-generation operating system for the iPhone and possibly detail what users can expect from the iPhone 17 lineup. iOS 26 is also slated to be the biggest update for the iPhone since iOS 7, which was released in 2013.
A new report shares details on iOS 26, featuring Digital Glass and how it will be the biggest update since the release of iOS 7
The details are shared by Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman, highlighting that iOS 26 will take design cues from visionOS, featuring transparent, glass-like effects throughout the platform. Gurman claims that the "main interface element will be digital glass" conjoined with the use of "light and transparency."
Tool and tab bars will look different, and there will be redesigned app icons and other buttons. There’s also a strong focus on the use of pop-out menus, meaning users can click a button to get a quick list of additional options.
It was previously reported by Jon Prosser that app icons would get a makeover as well, which would be ever so slightly circular in shape, but Gurman states that they are "staying largely the same" in iOS 26. To match the new interface, Gurman also claims that the Home Screen widgets will also be redesigned on the iPhone as well as the iPad, but they will function the same way as they do today.
Apple will also give its stock apps a makeover, with the Safari app getting the biggest revamp with a "significantly updated look" and a "more transparent and glassy address bar." The Phone app will also receive an updated design with a “new view that combines favorite contacts, recent calls, and voicemails into a single, scrollable window.” Gurman states that this particular change will be an optional addition, which can be reverted in the Settings.
Lastly, the Preview app is coming to the iPhone and iPad this year, which has been available for the Mac for a long time. The app will make the iPhone and iPad more powerful in terms of productivity with better PDF management and annotation tools. The analyst also claims that iPadOS 26 would feature major improvements for improved multitasking, which was previously rumored for the iPad. We will be covering all details extensively, so be sure to keep an eye out.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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