Phone owners have had to wait longer than ever for the first iOS 26 public beta, but it should result in a cleaner, more stable release.

Apple’s next phone operating system arriving this fall, iOS 26, includes a transparent aesthetic mimicking the look of glass and making apps and buttons blend in with content on the screen. Google is doing the opposite with its newly released operating system, Android 16, which emphasizes brighter, punchier colors.

Discover how iOS 26 and Android 16 redefine mobile OS design, customization, and functionality. Which platform suits your needs best?

The built-in Music app doesn't get lost in the shuffle in Apple's iOS 26 update. Indeed, amid the Liquid Glass overhaul to the iPhone's interface — including the look of the Music app — a trio of new features will appear aimed at getting more out of your favorite tunes.

OS 26 includes three small but meaningful changes for screenshots. The upcoming software update adds a new Screen Capture menu to the

There are ways to make Android look more like iOS 26, but your phone might end up looking like a cheap knock-off instead.

Looking at the home screens, the primary difference you'll find is that in iOS 26 the background of the dock and the search option that sits in between the dock and the home screen icons are more transparent and have a sheen to the edges, whereas in iOS 18, these are slightly darker.