iOS 26 Developer Beta 1 Review: Here’s What’s New

In this iOS 26 Developer Beta 1 Review, Apple delivers a major shake-up with bold new design changes and deeper AI integration. While some features feel genuinely useful, others are already dividing fans. Between the new “Liquid Glass” UI and Apple Intelligence, this isn’t just a maintenance update—it’s Apple signaling its next big iPhone vision. Whether that direction excites or frustrates you may depend on your hardware and personal taste.

If you’re cautiously curious or ready to throw it on your daily driver, here’s my hands-on review and impressions of iOS 26 Developer Beta 1 after early testing.

Quick Verdict: iOS 26 Developer Beta 1 Review

A bold new design overhaul combined with smarter Apple Intelligence features for supported devices. Some meaningful quality-of-life updates, but early stability issues and the polarizing Liquid Glass UI may divide longtime users. Not daily-driver ready yet, but full of promise for the fall public release.

iOS 26 Beta Overview

Release date: June 9, 2025
Build number: 23A5260n
Available through: Apple Developer Program (free with Apple ID)

In case you missed the memo: Apple skipped versions 19 through 25. The jump to iOS 26 is a branding decision, syncing with version numbers on macOS and iPadOS. So yes, this is the direct sequel to iOS 18. No, you’re not losing your mind.

It’s also a beta, so install at your own risk. While surprisingly stable in some areas, plenty of rough edges remain that make it risky for daily use at this stage.

Liquid Glass UI: The New Look in iOS 26 Developer Beta 1

Apple’s calling this their Liquid Glass design language, and it’s the most dramatic UI change since the skeuomorphic purge of iOS 7. Gone are the flat, static panes. Now we have dynamic translucency, layers, and interface depth that respond to motion and background content.

The new look feels modern, almost futuristic. But it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Plenty of users are already voicing concerns about readability, accessibility, and a general sense that it looks a bit “too much.” In my own testing, I found some text difficult to read on bright backgrounds, especially in sunlight.

Changes you’ll notice immediately:

• Modular Control Center tiles that float and shift
• A redesigned lock screen with layered visual effects
• More animated transitions and visual cues system-wide
• Refined icons and widget behavior, with a subtle 3D presence

Apple seems to be positioning this as the new visual identity for iOS going forward—so even if it doesn’t hit right now, expect it to evolve.

Smarter AI in iOS 26 Developer Beta 1: Apple Intelligence Gets a Glow-Up

Apple Intelligence made its debut in iOS 18, but iOS 26 is where it starts showing actual personality. Instead of surface-level tricks, this version pushes deeper into contextual awareness and system-level integration. Still privacy-first, still mostly on-device, but now with real, everyday use cases.

Note: These features only work on iPhones with an A17 Pro chip or newer. That means iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 series, and eventually iPhone 17.

Live Translation in Calls & FaceTime

During calls, I tested live translation and was impressed by the speed and general accuracy. Subtitles appear instantly, and the feature worked consistently well in both FaceTime and standard voice calls.

Screenshot Intelligence

Taking a screenshot now triggers actionable suggestions directly from the preview—such as dialing detected phone numbers, copying text, or opening recognized URLs. It’s subtle, but one of those features you quickly come to expect.

Genmoji Fusion & Enhanced Image Playground

Apple’s AI emoji tool gets an upgrade:

• MixMoji: Combine emojis and prompts to create weirdly specific, often hilarious graphics
• Image Playground: Smarter, more responsive, and embedded into Notes, Mail, and Messages
• Enhanced control over visual styles, colors, and animation settings

AI-Powered Shortcuts

Power users, this is for you. You can now use Apple Intelligence to:

• Summarize long text or web content
• Trigger AI-generated images on command
• Build smarter, context-aware automations triggered by natural language or actions

For example, I set up a Shortcut that instantly summarizes all unread emails into a quick digest—a genuinely useful tool for busy mornings.

Smart Delivery Tracking in Wallet

Order confirmations are automatically parsed, and shipment info appears in Wallet. In my limited testing, this worked well for major retailers, though smaller shops sometimes slipped through.

Messages & Phone App Changes in iOS 26 Developer Beta 1

While not as flashy as the AI tools, there are several quality-of-life updates that are easy to appreciate:

• Custom backgrounds for Messages, including animated ones
• In-chat polls for making group decisions
• Live transcription for unknown callers with real-time subtitles
• Hold Assist: iPhone stays on hold so you don’t have to, alerting you when someone picks up
• Apple Cash support in group chats for quick splitting of bills or gifts

Combined, these tweaks help Messages and Phone evolve into more flexible communications hubs.

More System-Level Changes & App Upgrades

Photos & Camera

• The Photos app now uses a tabbed layout, making navigation easier and more intuitive
• New support for spatial backgrounds in photos (for devices with depth-sensing cameras)

Apple Music

• AutoMix transitions between songs smoothly—ideal for parties or workouts
• Lyric Translation: Tap any line in lyrics to see an instant translation with phonetic guides

Wallet & Maps

• Digital passports and state IDs are now available in more U.S. regions
• Live boarding pass updates and airport maps integrated directly in Wallet
• New “Visited Places” log in Maps, automatically tracks key travel locations

Games App

Apple has added a standalone Games app that aggregates Apple Arcade and App Store games into one place. It’s a small addition, but streamlines access nicely.

iOS 26 Compatibility: Devices That Support Developer Beta 1

Supported Devices:

• iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 series
• iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)

Devices Losing Support:

• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS and XS Max

Apple Intelligence Requirements:

• iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max
• iPhone 16 / 16 Pro
• Future iPhone 17 models

If you’re not using one of these, you’ll still get iOS 26’s visual changes and app updates—but none of the Apple Intelligence features.

Beta 1 Stability: Bugs & Early Glitches

This is a developer beta, and my experience has confirmed that it’s not fully stable yet. Some notable issues I’ve run into:

• Delta and other travel-related apps crashing on launch
• Siri occasionally freezing or stuttering during commands
• CarPlay disconnecting intermittently
• UI lag when rapidly switching between apps
• Faster battery drain, especially on older supported models

Apple will likely smooth these out in future beta releases, but if stability is your priority, you’ll want to hold off for now.

The Bottom Line on iOS 26 Developer Beta 1

After hands-on time with Developer Beta 1, iOS 26 shows plenty of promise, especially for anyone invested in Apple’s AI future. Live translation, context-aware screenshots, and AI-powered Shortcuts feel genuinely helpful. The Liquid Glass UI is visually impressive, but it’s not going to win everyone over.

The bigger question is whether the visual overhaul and AI features justify the upgrade for those with older iPhones, where many Apple Intelligence tools aren’t even available. For now, iOS 26 looks like a solid platform shift that will appeal most to those with the newest hardware.

Tried the beta already? Experienced any different bugs or hidden features? Drop a comment below! I’ll continue updating this review as the beta cycle evolves

Tony Simons

Tony has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and over 14 years of writing experience between multiple publications in the tech, photography, lifestyle, and deal industries.