Today, September 15, 2025, Apple officially released the new operating systems: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. This creates a common thread throughout the entire product range – especially the new “Liquid Glass” design. But there’s a lot new not just visually, but functionally too. Here’s the overview – and why a cautious approach to updates remains sensible.
iOS 26 – the iPhone Becomes Transparent
- Liquid Glass Look: Transparent surfaces in menus, buttons, and widgets.
- Phone App: New layouts, Call Screening, and improved contact management.
- Messages: Polls, custom backgrounds, more personalization.
- Live Translation: Translate directly in messages, FaceTime, and calls.
- Battery Optimizations: Adaptive power modes extend battery life.
iPadOS 26 – more like a Computer
- Windowing System: Apps can be freely moved, scaled, and minimized.
- Files App: More features, previews, markup for PDFs.
- Liquid Glass also here as a new design theme. → Conclusion: iPadOS thus moves even closer to macOS.
macOS Tahoe 26 – the Last Major Step for Intel Macs
- New Design with Liquid Glass, transparent menu bars.
- Spotlight: Faster search, smarter with context recognition.
- Clipboard History: Clipboard history.
- Repair Assistant: Helps with self-repairs (e.g., display replacement for Apple chips).
- Intel Macs: Tahoe is the last major version that will still be supported.
watchOS 26 – Focus on Health
- New Health Sensing Technology (depending on the model) with improved sleep tracking.
- Fitness App: More workout types, more detailed analyses.
- User Interface: Adjustments in Liquid Glass design, clearer widgets.
- Performance: Faster loading times, better battery efficiency.
tvOS 26 – Apple TV as an Entertainment Hub
- New User Interface: Also more transparent and dynamic.
- Multi-User Profiles: Improved personalization for families.
- Apple Fitness+ Integration: More seamless control via Apple Watch.
- Games App (instead of Game Center): Central platform for Apple Arcade & Games.
visionOS 26 – Mixed Reality at a New Level
- Liquid Glass also defines the menus and windows here.
- New Gesture Control: More precise recognition of hand movements.
- Productivity: Multiple virtual monitors, improved Mac integration.
- Entertainment: Improved 3D video quality, more immersive spaces.
Things Users should Note
- Don’t Update Immediately: Wait a few days – initial bugs are normal.
- Back Up: Local + Cloud.
- Check Software: Especially with macOS Tahoe – many professional programs still need updates.
- Disable Automatic Updates: Prevents unwanted restarts in everyday use.
Conclusion
Apple OS 26 brings not only a fresh look, but also noticeable improvements – from iPhone and iPad to Watch, TV, and Vision Pro. However, patience is required, especially in productive use. Those who wait until the first patches are available will save themselves frustration – and still benefit from the new features.
