iOS 26.1 Update: Liquid Glass Design and Smarter AI for iPhone Users
Apple has wasted no time after rolling out iOS 26. The company has now unveiled the iOS 26.1 Developer Beta, packed with refinements, fresh UI features, and expanded Apple Intelligence support across multiple languages. Among the highlights is the much-talked-about Liquid Glass design, giving the iPhone’s interface a futuristic makeover, along with smarter real-time translations for global users.
If you’re curious about what’s new in iOS 26.1, which devices will support it, and how to get your hands on the update, here’s everything you need to know.
iOS 26.1 Key Highlights
- Liquid Glass Design: A stylish new visual for the Phone keypad.
- Improved Calendar UI: Full-width color highlights make schedules easier to view.
- Photos Scrubber Redesign: A more responsive playback scrubber for smoother navigation.
- Expanded Apple Intelligence: Now available in 8 additional languages.
- Live Translation Update: More languages supported for real-time conversations.
- Compatible with AirPods: Seamless Live Translation works with AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Pro 3.
What is the Liquid Glass Design in iOS 26.1?
One of the most striking refinements in this update is Apple’s Liquid Glass design for the Phone app keypad. Think of it as a sleek, semi-transparent layer that reflects ambient colors, blending seamlessly with your background. It’s not just eye candy—it’s part of Apple’s push toward minimalist modern design, creating a more immersive UI.
This follows Apple’s tradition of visually revamping select apps in iterations after a major iOS release. Similar to how the Control Center gained depth effects in iOS 18, the new Liquid Glass brings subtle sophistication to everyday actions like dialing a number.
Expanded Apple Intelligence: Now Smarter Across Cultures
Apple’s AI-powered platform, Apple Intelligence, first debuted with iOS 18.1. With iOS 26.1, it’s expanding its reach to eight new languages, making the feature usable by millions more users worldwide.
New Apple Intelligence Languages:
- Chinese (Traditional)
- Danish
- Dutch
- Norwegian
- Portuguese (Portugal)
- Swedish
- Turkish
- Vietnamese
Imagine dictating smart replies, summarizing emails, or generating quick AI suggestions in your native language—that’s what this update unlocks.
Live Translation Becomes Truly Global
Apple is pushing hard on real-time translation, a must-have in today’s globally connected world. With iOS 26.1, the Live Translation feature adds support for major languages:
- Chinese (Mandarin, simplified)
- Chinese (Mandarin, traditional)
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
Whether you’re FaceTiming a friend in Tokyo, texting a business partner in Seoul, or traveling through Rome, your iPhone can now translate conversations on the fly.
Even better, when paired with AirPods Pro 3, translations can be heard directly into your earbuds—practically like having a personal interpreter with you.
Refined Apps for Everyday Use
Calendar App
Events are now highlighted with full-width color blocks, making your busy day visually easier to digest. Instead of small dots or stripes, you get bold highlights—especially useful if you’re juggling both work and personal events.
Photos App
The improved scrubber provides smoother navigation for videos and photo memories. If you love revisiting old trips or family gatherings, you’ll appreciate the more precise and tactile scrubbing experience.
iOS 26.1 Eligible Devices
Like previous updates, iOS 26.1 supports devices already compatible with iOS 26. Generally, this includes the latest iPhones released in the past 5–6 years. Expect full compatibility with:
- iPhone 15 lineup and newer
- iPhone 14 lineup
- iPhone 13 lineup
- iPhone 12 lineup
- iPhone SE (3rd generation and newer)
Older devices may not support advanced Apple Intelligence features due to hardware limitations.
How to Download iOS 26.1 Developer Beta
If you’re eager to test the new features, here’s how you can get it:
- Join Apple Developer Program:
- Visit the Apple Developer website or open the Apple Developer app.
- Sign in with your Apple ID, complete enrollment by entering your details, and accept the agreement.
- Enable Beta Updates:
- On your iPhone, open Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tap Beta Updates > iOS 26.1 Developer Beta.
- Download and Install:
- Make sure your battery is above 50% and connect to Wi-Fi.
- Tap Download and Install. Your iPhone will restart to apply the update.
Pro tip: Always create a backup via iCloud or Finder before updating, just in case.
Real-World Benefits of iOS 26.1
- For Travelers: Live Translation helps when navigating foreign countries without third-party apps.
- For Professionals: Expanded Apple Intelligence can summarize long reports or generate smart replies in different languages.
- For Students: Language learners gain an instant practice tool with translations directly in their apps.
- For Everyday Users: Small UI enhancements like Liquid Glass and a smoother Photos scrubber make the iPhone experience more delightful.
Pros and Cons of iOS 26.1 Update
Pros
- Fresh, modern UI with Liquid Glass
- Wider Apple Intelligence accessibility
- Real-time translation across more languages
- Improved Calendar and Photos apps
- Free to install for developers
Cons
- Still in beta, so expect bugs
- Some AI features require newer iPhones
- Live Translation works best with AirPods, potentially limiting some users
FAQs on iOS 26.1 Update
Q1: What is the Liquid Glass design in iOS 26.1?
It’s a new UI effect applied to the Phone keypad. It mimics a smooth, semi-transparent glass look that adapts to the background for a sleek feel.
Q2: How can I install iOS 26.1 developer beta?
You need to enroll in the Apple Developer Program, then go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates, and choose iOS 26.1 Developer Beta.
Q3: Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 26.1?
All iPhones that support iOS 26, including iPhone 15 series, 14, 13, 12, and iPhone SE (3rd gen).
Q4: Does Apple Intelligence work on older iPhones?
Not always. Some AI features require the latest hardware such as A17 Pro or newer chips.
Q5: What’s new in Live Translation on iOS 26.1?
New languages like Italian, Japanese, Korean, and expanded Chinese support have been added for real-time translation across Messages, FaceTime, and more.
Q6: Should I install the Beta version on my primary iPhone?
It’s not recommended. Beta software may contain bugs and can affect performance. It’s safer to install on a secondary device.
Conclusion
The iOS 26.1 developer beta is not just a small patch—it’s a meaningful update combining Apple’s design innovation with powerful AI-driven usability. From the stunning Liquid Glass design to more inclusive Apple Intelligence features, and expanded Live Translation tools, it’s clear Apple is doubling down on making the iPhone smarter, more personal, and globally connected.
