iOS 26 Is Apple’s Wildest Update Yet – Packed with Masala, Magic, and Mind-Blowing AI!

By Mohit Singhania | Updated: June 25 2025

You thought iOS 25 was flashy? Ha! Apple just ripped open the curtain, fired up the AI engines, and unleashed iOS 26 — and let’s just say, it’s not your regular “yearly refresh.”

It’s like Apple finally went all-in — shiny widgets, custom emojis, helpful AI summaries, and for once… features that feel like they were actually made with Indian users in mind.

But wait — don’t go asking Siri to show off just yet. She’s still in glam prep and will be fashionably late (hello, Spring 2026).

Here’s your full thali of spicy insights, leaks, love letters, and a few rants about iOS 26 — served hot!

Quick Rundown: iOS 26 Highlights

Release Timeline

Liquid Glass UI – Apple Said “Let’s Flex”

Imagine your iPhone got dipped in a pool of future tech. That’s the new Liquid Glass UI:

• Widgets don’t just sit there anymore — they shimmer, they glow, they react.
• Everything feels like it’s floating in space, layered with light refractions.
• Even simple animations (like swiping home) look like they were shot on RED cameras.

Honestly, once you see it, older versions of iOS will feel like they belong in a tech museum — this update makes everything else look ancient.

Apple Intelligence – Not Just Smart… Psychic

Apple’s biggest AI flex yet. They’re calling it Apple Intelligence (official Apple preview), and it might just be your new brainy bestie:

• Smart Recaps: Wake up to a one-line summary of 43 unread WhatsApps and 12 emails. Yes, please.
• Genmoji: Say “a chubby unicorn doing bhangra” and boom — it’s an emoji now.
• Rewrite Suggestions: Type a rage message, let AI make it sound passive-aggressive corporate.
• Contextual Priority: Missed 10 notifications? iOS 26 knows which 2 are actually important.

Only for A17 Pro devices and up. That means iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and the entire iPhone 16 lineup. Budget phones? Sorry bros, no brain boost for you.

Siri 2.0 – The Star Who Missed Her Cue

We were ready. We were excited. And then… Apple said “Not yet.”

Siri 2.0 — the new, smart, context-aware, screen-reading, chat-style version — is delayed until Spring 2026, expected to arrive with iOS 26.4.

Right now, Siri gets:

• Slightly better memory
• The ability to be typed to (finally!)
• A promise that better days are coming

Until then, she’s still… well… Siri. We love her, but she’s still catching up to her AI cousins.

Control Center 2.0 – Finally, It’s Yours

Customization lovers, rejoice!

• Drag and drop tiles like you’re designing your dream dashboard
• Third-party controls now allowed (FINALLY!)
• Add HomeKit pages, music tools, focus modes, and more
• It’s like your iPhone’s cockpit just got upgraded to business class

Messages – With That Extra Desi Masala

Apple made texting fun again:

• Tapback with ANY emoji – Want to react to “I’m on my way” with a dancing chicken? Go wild.
• Word-level Effects – Emphasize just the “NOOOO” in your “Noooo wayyy!”
• Message Scheduling – Send birthday wishes at midnight without staying up till 11:59 PM
• Satellite Messaging – Chat even when you’re in a jungle, desert, or Airtel dead zone

Safari, Notes & Mail – Now With Brains

These apps now work with you, not against you:

• Safari: AI summaries to quickly digest webpages, alerts for potentially unreliable sources, and contextual prompts that suggest actions like sharing or bookmarking.
• Notes: Solve handwritten math equations, summarize lengthy PDFs, and convert scribbles into editable text.
• Mail: Get auto-drafted replies, smarter inbox sorting, and AI-powered summaries for long email threads.

Basically, they went from basic to BAWS.

Made for India – And It Shows!

We always ask, “Yeh feature India mein chalega kya?”

For once, the answer is YES:

• Hinglish Siri: “Siri, kal subah 7 baje alarm laga dena” — and she obeys.
• UPI Deep Linking: Pay directly inside apps like a true fintech pro
• Live AQI Alerts: Real-time air quality pings, because breathing matters too

Apple’s finally speaking our language — literally.

Full List of iPhones Getting iOS 26

Supported:

• iPhone 16 series (all variants)
• iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max
• iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12 – all models
• iPhone 11 series
• iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd Gen)

Left Behind:

• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS / XS Max

If you’re still rocking A12 Bionic, it’s time to move on. iOS 26 only loves A13 and up.

Timeline Breakdown

Should You Try the Beta?

Thinking of testing iOS 26 early? Read this first:

• Bugs are like uninvited relatives — they show up randomly
• Battery might run out faster than your enthusiasm
• Some apps might crash harder than your Monday motivation

If you love chaos and flexing new stuff — go for it. Otherwise? Wait for the public beta.

Secret Sauce: Bonus Features We Love

• Live Voicemail Transcription: Read the voicemail as they speak
• Game Mode: Turns your iPhone into a dedicated gaming beast
• AutoCorrect 2.0: Finally stops correcting your slang into embarrassing words
• Tap to Pay (Receive): Accept payments just by tapping — perfect for freelancers and sellers

Masala Meter – How Hot is iOS 26?

Watch This First

MKBHD’s iOS 26 Review: Drool-worthy demos, smart feature showcases, and Liquid Glass glory

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Final Take: Should You Upgrade?

If your iPhone made the cut — YES. iOS 26 isn’t a facelift, it’s a full-blown identity change.

• If you’re on iPhone 15 Pro/16 series → You’re entering Apple’s AI elite club.
• If you’re still on iPhone XR → Yeh signal hai, time to move on.
• If you love fresh looks, new tricks, and a slice of desi flair → iOS 26 is your jam.

And when Siri 2.0 lands next year? Full revolution incoming.

Until then, install it, flex it, and stay full masala. This is TechMasala signing off.