iOS 26 Introduces ‘Digital Glass’ Look in Major Redesign, Safari Overhaul, and Productivity Upgrades

Apple is about to unveil its most visually striking update to iOS since the bold transition seen in iOS 7 back in 2013. At this year’s WWDC, the spotlight is on iOS 26, which promises a modern, immersive interface inspired by visionOS-the software behind Apple Vision Pro.

The defining aesthetic of iOS 26 is what insiders are calling “Digital Glass”-a design language filled with translucent, layered elements that emulate glass surfaces. The entire interface will have a sense of depth and light, offering a more futuristic and fluid experience. Toolbars, tab bars, and buttons are all being updated with subtle animations and transparency effects, creating a more spatial and dynamic interaction model.

Despite the sweeping UI changes, Apple is keeping app icons mostly the same, with only minimal tweaks-slightly more rounded corners, but no major redesign. This comes as a surprise, considering earlier rumors suggested a visual overhaul of icons. Still, redesigned Home Screen widgets will help freshen the look, even if their functionality remains unchanged.

The Safari browser will receive one of the most significant updates in the iOS 26 suite. Users can expect a sleeker, more modern design with a transparent address bar and a more glass-like visual structure that blends with the new aesthetic. Apple is also integrating more pop-out menus across apps to make actions faster and more accessible.

The Phone app is getting a helpful redesign too. A new optional layout will combine recent calls, favorite contacts, and voicemails into one convenient, scrollable view. If users prefer the old style, Apple allows switching back via Settings-a thoughtful touch.

Another standout addition: the Preview app is finally coming to iPhone and iPad. Long a staple of the Mac, Preview will bring advanced PDF handling and annotation tools to mobile, improving productivity on the go.

iPad users also have reasons to celebrate-iPadOS 26 will reportedly introduce enhanced multitasking capabilities, a long-requested feature that could close the gap between iPad and Mac in terms of workflow efficiency.

iOS 26 is shaping up to be more than just a facelift. It’s a move toward spatial design that lays the groundwork for deeper integration with Apple’s growing ecosystem of AR and productivity tools.