Apple just pulled the curtains on the software redesign that they’ve been cooking, and it isn’t just iOS, but the line of OSes.
Understanding the Jump: Why ’26’?
Let’s address the elephant in the room, why the jump? We get it, it’s a bit jarring going from the usual consecutive numbering scheme to 26, but Apple assures users that it’s for a good reason. The main being that it wants to unify the naming schemes of all the OSes in Apple’s stable. In addition, they also want to make it easier to understand since they’ve been releasing yearly upgrades to their OSes, iOS in particular.
Now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk about what’s new or what has already been done in Android but got Apple-fied.
Windows Vista crawled so Apple’s 26 can run
Windows Vista beat Apple to the punch, implementing a similar design language decades ago.
The jump to 26 introduces a whole new reimagining of Apple’s software design. As Apple put it, it’s their biggest redesign since iOS 7. The whole WWDC 2025 keynote centered around “Liquid Glass,” Apple’s design language that combines the opacity of glass with the fluid motion of liquid.
This design language is carried out to the entire ecosystem. So, what is “Liquid Glass” anyway? Major elements of the OS have been redesigned so that more content can pass through the element, therefore making the experience more immersive.
For example, iOS’s icon toolbar at the bottom can now show a little bit of what’s behind it rather than being a solid color. And it’s not just the home screen elements, all of Apple’s system apps have been made to reflect the design language. Apple is really pushing the unification of all OSes to make the switch to the ecosystem more enticing.
To spare you the burden of watching the hour and a half-long keynote address, here’s our top 5 features that we’re sure Filipinos would love.
Top 5 Features Filipinos Should Watch Out For in WWDC 2025
1. New windowing system and supercharged Files app (iPadOS 26)
Back when the first-generation iPad Pro was released, Apple had a hard time convincing customers that the Pro version was a Personal Computer, as they have advertised countless of times.
However, the software just wasn’t there. Despite the appearance of a touchpad, Apple’s implementation was lackluster and gimmicky at best. But with iPadOS 26, the gap closes even further, making it a game changer for students and on-the-go professionals.
Resizing, tiling, and managing multiple app windows is now a breeze. Heck, it even has the three dots on the upper left corner of every tab, similar to macOS. The Files app has also been given some love by having the ability to resize columns, collapse folders, and customize folder colors/icons, all of which are synced across devices.
2. Live translation and enhanced communication features (iOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26)
Live translation is now baked directly into Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, bridging the language barrier. We can see it being a thing for professionals that engage in international business or for communicating with multilingual individuals.
We certainly hope that this feature also works with the Filipino language, not just Tagalog but other dialects as well. Although, it’s a bit of wishful thinking as Android phones continue to dominate the country, mainly because of its cost-effectiveness.
This, I think most of you will laugh, Messages is now getting Polls, Typing indicators in group chats, Spam detection, and setting a background for the chat window. While Phone gets Call Screening and Hold Assist. Most of which have already been available on Android for years. I mean don’t get us wrong, it’s a good feature to have, we just wish it would’ve come sooner.
3. Improvements on Apple Wallet and the Digital ID push (iOS 26)
Before you roast us in the comments section, yes, we know Apple Pay isn’t available in the PH, but hear us out…
In iOS 26, Apple Pay now includes the ability to redeem points or pay with installments, as well as improving order tracking summaries that pull details beyond just purchases. If Apple Pay does decide to apply to our government’s financial agencies, it will make digital transactions more convenient and comprehensive.
Apart from Apple Pay, Apple Wallet can also store Digital IDs which can be very useful considering the current administration’s push for paperless government transactions. Apple’s advancements in secure digital credentials within Wallet will be an asset for future local integrations.
4. Redesigned lock screen, apps, and many more
Apart from the redesigned elements that we’ve mentioned earlier, lock screen has also received some upgrades like a dynamic clock that adjusts based on the available space on the image that’s shown.
Album artworks shown on the lock screen will now maximize the whole screen instead of being a square in the middle.
The Camera app now sports a different icon, as well as a more minimalistic but intuitive design, bearing just the essentials. You’ll need to swipe up for additional settings, left and right for the other modes, and swipe down to change resolution and frame rates.
FaceTime’s landing page can now be more personalized with contact posters and video messages previews.
5. Apple Intelligence
This is Apple Intelligence’s make or break moment. When it was launched, it was criticized for a bunch of reasons like delayed implementation and half-baked features.
This time, Apple showcased a slew of improvements like enhanced writing capabilities, improved photo and video search, Private Cloud Compute for enhanced privacy, the previously mentioned Live Translation, and Visual Intelligence to name a few.
The 26 will possibly be available in September, right when the iPhone 17 is launched. There’s definitely a lot more to watch out for but for now, let’s keep our expectations tempered, especially older iPhones which may or may not run the software smoothly.