Apple’s Liquid Glass Era Begins with iOS 26 and the 20th Anniversary iPhone

As Apple gears up to celebrate the iPhone’s 20th anniversary, the company is preparing a bold visual and structural leap with the help of iOS 26.

Internally codenamed “Glasswing,” the upcoming anniversary iPhone is not just another spec bump-it represents a transformative shift that unites software aesthetics with hardware ambition.

iOS 26 is expected to be the most significant update since iOS 7, introducing a striking new design language called “Liquid Glass.” Inspired by visionOS and infused with high-gloss, dynamic effects, Liquid Glass brings a new depth to the interface, with seamless transitions, animations, and a futuristic aesthetic that foreshadows Apple’s direction in physical product design.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this change won’t just be skin-deep. The new iOS visuals are designed to echo the 2027 iPhone’s form factor-likely the most daring iPhone to date. With curved glass that blends over all four sides, no visible bezels, and sensors hidden under the display, this “Glasswing” model will blur the line between screen and chassis. Think of a sleeker, more refined version of Samsung’s Galaxy Edge, but with Apple’s obsession for polish and seamlessness.

Apple’s push into full-glass design reflects a maturing vision of iPhone as an organic, fluid object-less of a device and more of a singular interface. iOS 26 will be the beginning of this transformation, offering developers and users a preview of what’s to come through rich animations and transparent UI elements. It’s not just software shaping hardware anymore-it’s a symbiosis.

Interestingly, Apple also plans to introduce its first iPhone Fold in 2026. This foldable device will reportedly adopt many of iOS 26’s visual elements, suggesting that transparency and fluid visuals aren’t just aesthetic decisions-they’re foundational to how future iPhones will function and feel in-hand.

While some users long for the nostalgic charm of the iPhone X’s stainless-steel frame, Apple’s direction is clear: elegance through transparency, curves, and immersive display experiences. Whether you’re ready for a phone that feels like holding light itself-or miss the days of hard edges and cold steel-one thing’s for sure: Apple’s next chapter is glass-forward, and it’s going to be wild.