At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, Apple surprised everyone by jumping from iOS 18 straight to iOS 26.
The company’s decision to skip eight whole versions sparked numerous questions and discussions among Apple fans. So, what are the key differences between the familiar iOS 18 and the new iOS 26? And is the excitement justified? In today’s blog post, we’ll explore the new features, visual changes, and device compatibility in detail.

---

1. Visual Changes: Liquid Glass — the New Look of iOS

The most significant change in iOS 26 is the new design language called Liquid Glass, inspired by Apple Vision Pro’s VisionOS. The interface features transparent icons, glass-like menus, and a dynamic Dock with a melted-glass effect.

Liquid Glass transforms everyday interaction with your iPhone into a completely new visual experience. Although the effect is stunning, some users have reported readability issues when using very bright wallpapers — something Apple allows users to adjust in settings.

---

2. Lock Screen: More Dynamic and Adaptive

iOS 26 continues the trend of personalization with updates to the Lock Screen. The clock now dynamically adapts to the wallpaper and notifications, while notifications feature nearly transparent backgrounds with white text for a cleaner appearance. There's also a new animated unlocking effect that feels like you're “lifting glass,” contributing to an even more lively and modern interaction.

---

3. Control Center & Menus: Polished Classics

Despite the updates, the Control Center keeps its familiar layout, but with several noticeable improvements. Buttons are now more rounded with a soft glass sheen. New Dynamic Tab Bars adapt to motion and allow more space for content. Another change is automatic color adjustments based on light or dark backgrounds — no manual tweaking needed.

---

4. Functionality: More Style, Few New Features

While visual changes take center stage, iOS 26 also introduces a few practical improvements:

Feature	iOS 18	iOS 26
AI Capabilities	Apple Intelligence for responses	Improved visuals, but AI is still based on iOS 18
Personalization	Widgets, layout, colors	Adds adaptive UI, new effects, and dynamic tabs
Security	Local personal data processing	No major changes in the first beta versions

iOS 26 is visually impressive but functionally close to iOS 18.

---

5. Compatibility with Refurbished iPhones

If you're considering a refurbished iPhone, compatibility with the new iOS is important:

Model	iOS 18	iOS 26
iPhone 11	✅	✅
iPhone 12	✅	✅
iPhone 13	✅	✅
iPhone 14	✅	✅
iPhone 15+	✅	✅

 

---

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Apple jump from iOS 18 directly to iOS 26?

• Apple explained this as a symbolic move to align with VisionOS 1 and macOS 16, aiming for ecosystem version consistency.

Will I be able to use Liquid Glass on iPhone 13?

• Yes — Liquid Glass and iOS 26 will be supported on iPhone SE 2nd Gen and newer.

Is it worth upgrading to iPhone 14 or 15?

• If you want access to the new interface and future updates — definitely yes.

---

In Conclusion

iOS 26 is more of a visual upgrade than a functional leap. Liquid Glass brings a modern freshness to the design, while animated unlocking and dynamic tabs enhance the user experience. However, the core features and security remain close to iOS 18.

If you're looking for a refurbished iPhone that supports future iOS versions, check out our offers for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 — with warranty, great prices, and guaranteed support for the years ahead. Visit Hop.bg to browse our full range of affordable refurbished tech. You’re also welcome to visit our stores in Sofia, Plovdiv, Pleven, Varna, and Ruse to see the quality and variety for yourself.

 

Previous post Next post