As of September 15, 2025, Apple has rolled out its new-generation operating systems, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, to users. The updates, which began distribution at around 8:00 PM Turkish time, draw attention with both visual innovations and AI-powered features. So, what changes await iPhone and iPad users?
Highlighted Features of iOS 26
Liquid Glass Design
Apple’s new interface, named “Liquid Glass,” offers a transparent and fluid look. App icons, the lock screen, and widgets now feature dynamic interactions, making them more modern and visually appealing.
Apple Intelligence Integration
AI-powered features spread across the system are offered under the “Apple Intelligence” banner. Real-time Translation, FaceTime, Messages, and Phone apps can now perform instant voice and text translations. Although Turkish support is currently listed as “coming soon,” users can already communicate in many languages in real time.
Advanced Search and Call Management
iOS 26 improves daily usability with smart features like filtering calls from unknown numbers, offering suggestions during searches, and enhancing call handling.
What’s New in iPadOS 26?
Windowed Multitasking & Menu Bar
iPadOS 26 brings a desktop-like experience to iPad users. Apps can now run in independent windows, and with a new swipe-up feature, users can access a menu bar similar to macOS. This allows for a more flexible usage style. Multitasking offers a big advantage, especially for professional users.
Files & Dock Enhancements
File management now includes advanced folders, drag-and-drop ease, and better Dock functionality. Thanks to these improvements, working on iPad becomes more efficient and organized.
Preview App Comes to iPad
The Preview app, well-known to Mac users, is now available on iPad. Tasks like editing PDFs, marking up documents with Apple Pencil, and auto-filling forms enhance the mobile work experience.
Which Devices Are Compatible?
iPhone Models Supporting iOS 26
- iPhone 11 and later
- iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later
iPhone XS, XR, and earlier models are no longer supported.
iPad Models Supporting iPadOS 26
- iPad (8th generation) and later
- iPad Air (3rd generation) and later
- iPad mini (5th generation) and later
- iPad Pro 11" (1st generation) and later
- iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd generation) and later
Why iOS 26? The Reason Behind the Version Name Change
Following last year’s iOS 18, Apple switched to the name iOS 26 this year. The reason is to align the OS version directly with the calendar year. This way, users can easily tell which version corresponds to which year.
Apple’s 2025 Strategy
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 highlight Apple’s focus on integrating both design and AI features into its mobile devices. While iPhones get visual upgrades and AI-powered translation tools, iPads gain more desktop-like multitasking capabilities. In short, Apple aims to serve both everyday users and professionals with these updates.
