Apple’s software journey has taken a bold leap, jumping straight from iOS 18 to iOS 26, leaving many users wondering, “What happened to iOS 19?” Well, this happened due to Apple’s rebranding strategy that aligned iOS version number with the year of release.
With that, iOS has arrived with its “Liquid Glass Design” and smart AI features with unmatched performance. Now that iOS 26 makes iOS 18 look like yesterday’s news, let’s dive into how iOS 26 compares to iOS 18.
The Big Picture: Key Differences Between iOS 18 and iOS 26
A Design Transformed: The Liquid Glass Effect
Under the Hood: Performance & Battery Life Realities
Smarter and More Helpful: The AI Revolution
App by App: Where It Matters Most
The Bottom Line: Evolution vs. Revolution
The Big Picture: Key Differences Between iOS 18 and iOS 26
Shifting from iOS 18 to iOS 26 might feel a big jump, but here is how the new version outshines its predecessor:
|
Feature |
iOS 18 |
iOS 26 |
|
Visual Style |
Flat, minimal, simple blur |
Liquid Glass, vibrant, dynamic |
|
Lock Screen |
Static clock, solid alerts |
Dynamic clock, glassy effects |
|
Control Center |
Basic blocks |
Rounded, 3D glass look |
|
App Icons |
Flat, uniform |
Larger, layered with depth |
|
Messages |
Basic chats, Tapbacks |
Custom backgrounds, polls, live translation |
|
Siri & AI |
Standard Siri |
Apple Intelligence with smart AI tools |
|
UI Adaptation |
Fixed colors |
Adaptive menus and transparency |
|
Photos |
Standard gallery |
Spatial photos, smart events |
|
Battery |
Stable, efficient |
Initial drain, adaptive power |
|
Phone |
Basic calls, RCS |
Hold Assist, call screening, translations |
|
CarPlay |
Simple layout |
Glass theme, widgets, video, Live Activities |
|
Customization |
Basic widgets, shortcuts |
Deeper icon, widget, lock screen options |
|
Stability |
Very reliable |
Early quirks, improving with updates |
A Design Transformed: The Liquid Glass Effect
Coming towards the design comparison, iOS 26 features the Liquid Glass Effect for a more futuristic and responsive user experience. It's an advanced, glass-like visual style that runs throughout the interface, whereas iOS 18 focused on semi-translucent backgrounds and dark tones. Some of the significant differences related to the icon, lock screen, or control center are listed below for your understanding:
|
Feature |
iOS 18 |
iOS 26 |
|
App Icons |
Flat, standard size |
Larger with a layered glass effect and depth |
|
Control Center |
Simple, block-style with low opacity |
Rounded, glass-like buttons with depth |
|
Lock Screen |
Fixed clock, solid notifications |
Dynamic clock, see-through notifications, glass unlock animation |
|
Widgets & Menus |
Static colors, limited adaptation |
Adaptive colors and transparency that match the background |
|
Button Highlights |
Basic light/dark fills |
Shifting light refraction for a 3D look |
|
Customization |
Shortcuts, limited icon changes |
Transparent “All Clear” icons, more dynamic depth options |
|
Accessibility |
Reduce transparency for clarity |
Enhanced contrast and customization for readability |
Under the Hood: Performance & Battery Life Realities
It has been reported that iOS 26 will run across iPhone 11 and newer devices, offering a faster and more optimized version for fluid multitasking. In contrast, although iOS 18 is running rock-solid, iOS 26 is offering a faster navigational experience, with a brief show of lagging (which will settle in!)
That’s not all! iOS 26 has not been offering the best battery performance, when put in comparison with iOS 18. At this moment, it has been reported that the battery is draining heavily with the new visuals. Furthermore, it has also been discovered that the Liquid Glass effect has risen the device heat, almost 10°C higher than its predecessor. However, this usually settles down within a week or so after the official release, so that’s nothing to worry about.
Smarter and More Helpful: The AI Revolution
Now, if you question “Is iOS 26 better than iOS 18”? Our answer would be yes! Its Liquid Glass design, smarter AI, and smoother performance make it a true upgrade. Talking about AI, iOS 26 takes a giant leap over iOS 18 with the Apple Intelligence suite. Here is what you need to know.
|
Feature |
Highlights |
|
Live Translation |
Real-time translations in calls, Messages, FaceTime, and even in-person with AirPods, spoken and written. |
|
Siri Evolution |
Smarter, faster, and context-aware Siri that handles multi-step tasks fully on-device for better privacy. |
|
On-Screen Awareness |
Let you translate, summarize, or act on anything visible, screenshots, text, or objects, instantly and privately. |
|
Writing Tools |
AI-powered proofreading, tone rewrites, and summaries are available across the system and third-party apps. |
App by App: Where It Matters Most
Still wondering “Should I upgrade from iOS 18 to iOS 26?” iOS 26 upgrades core apps with smarter, more personal, and convenient features for everyday life. Review the given table to know how:
|
App/Feature |
What’s New in iOS 26 |
|
Messages |
● Liquid Glass looks ● Rebranded “Screen Unknown Senders” ● Custom chat backgrounds (AI) ● Group chat upgrades ● Live translation ● RCS improvements |
|
Phone & Communications |
● Call Screening ● Hold Assist ● Live call translations ● Compact CarPlay UI ● Tiled FaceTime with posters |
|
Photos |
● Liquid Glass UI ● Tab bar navigation ● 3D spatial photos ● Smart event recognition ● AI-powered search |
|
CarPlay |
● New Liquid Glass design ● widgets on dash ● Parked video playback ● Live Activities in-car, ● Richer Messages/Phone integration |
Should You Upgrade to iOS 26?
So, what is the final decision? If you prioritize new features over rock-solid stability and a better life, upgrading is worth it. But it depends on the iPhone model!
● iPhone 15/16/17 Series - Highly Recommended
Enjoy the smoothest Liquid Glass design, full Apple Intelligence features, fast multitasking, and minimal battery impact.
Plus, with Apple’s latest launch still fresh, many of you are either waiting for your new device to arrive or already unboxing it. We strongly recommend getting a protective case this time around—since the new iPhone features an aluminum enclosure, keeping it safe is more important than ever. If you’re interested, check out ESR’s Lifeproof cases for iPhone. They’re compatible with a wide range of models, both old and new. Looking for iPhone 17 series cases? Click here!
● iPhone 13/14 Series - Optional, upgrade if you want new features
Some lag or faster battery drain early on; best for users excited about Live Translation, smarter Siri, and writing tools.
● iPhone 11/12 Series - Supported but may strain
Battery and speed take the biggest hit; turning off Liquid Glass can help preserve performance.
● Work-Critical Devices - Better to Wait!
Stick with the stable iOS 18.7 until bugs are patched and battery life steadies, upgrade later for safety.
The Bottom Line: Evolution vs. Revolution
To wrap up, iOS 18 offers smooth performance and reliable battery life. iOS 26, on the other hand, comes with Liquid Glass design, Apple Intelligence features, and deeper customization. Still, the final decision is yours, but if you take the leap to iOS 26 and later miss the old comfort, no worries! You can roll back by restoring your iPhone with an iOS 18.7 IPSW file through Finder or iTunes.
You may also like:
1、iOS 26 Compatibility Exposed: iPhone XS/XR Dead, 11 Survives!
2、iOS 17 vs iOS 18: Which New iPhone Software Should You Update To?
3、iOS 26 vs Android 16: Liquid Glass or Expressive Material – Which OS Nails It in 2025?
