iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 Developer Beta 1: First Look at Apple’s Game-Changing Mobile Updates

Apple’s WWDC 2025 kicked off with a bang, unveiling iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 in their first developer betas. These updates are transformative, blending a visually stunning Liquid Glass design, next-level Apple Intelligence capabilities, and major app overhauls that make iPhones and iPads feel smarter and more intuitive. iOS 26 brings a refreshed Phone app, an upgraded Messages experience, a smarter CarPlay, a new Preview app, and a revamped Battery settings section with innovative power management tools. Meanwhile, iPadOS 26—billed as the biggest iPadOS release ever—introduces a revolutionary windowing system, the same Preview app, and enhanced file management. Available now in developer beta 1 through the Apple Developer Program, with public betas expected in July and full releases this fall, these updates are packed with features that promise to redefine the Apple ecosystem. Let’s dive into the details of what’s new in developer beta 1, exploring every feature and what they mean for users.

iOS 26 Developer Beta 1: A Smarter, More Beautiful iPhone Experience

iOS 26 developer beta 1 is a love letter to iPhone users, combining a sleek new aesthetic with intelligent features that make your device feel like an extension of yourself. From a reimagined design to smarter apps, a new Preview app, and advanced battery management, here’s everything we’ve uncovered in the first beta.

A Stunning New Look with Liquid Glass

The Liquid Glass design is the visual star of iOS 26, introduced in developer beta 1. The Home and Lock Screens sport a glossy, almost three-dimensional look, with fluid animations that make every swipe feel alive. You can customize app icons and widgets with light or dark tints, creating a Home Screen that’s uniquely yours—whether you prefer a minimalist vibe or a bold, colorful layout. Core apps like Mail, Safari, Apple TV, and Apple Music have been redesigned with cleaner controls, larger touch targets, and smoother transitions, making navigation effortless. The Control Center and Notification Center also get a Liquid Glass makeover, with customizable layouts and new accessibility options like adjustable text sizes and high-contrast modes for a more tailored experience.

Apple Intelligence: Your iPhone’s New Superpower

Apple Intelligence powers the smarts behind iOS 26, and developer beta 1 gives us a glimpse of its potential. Here’s what’s included:

• Live Translation: Communicate across borders with real-time translation in Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app. It supports nine languages at launch—English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Chinese (simplified)—with Apple promising Danish, Dutch, and others by December 2025. Whether you’re texting a friend abroad or joining a multilingual FaceTime call, Live Translation ensures seamless conversations, though beta 1 shows occasional lag in low-network conditions.
• Genmoji and Image Playground: Create custom emojis or generate images in styles like oil painting or watercolor, powered by ChatGPT integration. In beta 1, Genmoji supports basic designs, while Image Playground offers a few style presets, with more expected in future betas. Results sync across your Apple devices via iCloud.
• Intelligent Shortcuts: Summarize long emails, articles, or notes with a tap, or generate images for presentations using Apple’s AI models. Beta 1 supports natural language inputs like “Summarize my inbox,” though complex queries may need refinement.
• Order Tracking Summarization: Keep tabs on deliveries with concise summaries pulled from emails and messages. Beta 1 works well with major carriers but may miss smaller vendors.
• Foundation Models Framework: A new tool for developers to build AI-powered apps, though beta 1 offers limited documentation, suggesting more examples will come in later releases.

Phone App: A Modern Call Experience

The Phone app gets a complete overhaul in developer beta 1, making calling more intuitive:

• Unified Layout: Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails are now in a single, streamlined interface with a modern design. A new search bar lets you find contacts faster, though beta 1 has minor UI glitches when swiping quickly.
• Call Screening: Filter out spam calls with AI-driven screening that prompts unknown callers to identify themselves. It supports Cantonese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish, with transcribed voicemails. Beta 1’s transcription is accurate but can be slow for non-English languages.
• Hold Assist: Waiting on hold? Hold Assist monitors the call and alerts you when a real person picks up, available in English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Japanese, and Mandarin. It’s a lifesaver, though beta 1 occasionally misses subtle hold music changes.

Messages: More Expressive, More Organized

The Messages app in developer beta 1 is more engaging and practical:

• Screen Unknown Senders: Messages from strangers go to a dedicated folder, where you can mark senders as known, request info, or delete them. Beta 1’s filtering is reliable but may misclassify some known contacts with new numbers.
• Custom Backgrounds: Personalize conversation backgrounds with photos, gradients, or patterns, synced via iCloud. Beta 1 offers a small selection of presets, with more customization promised.
• Polls: Create polls in group chats for quick decisions, with real-time vote tracking. Beta 1 supports up to five poll options, which feels limited but functional.
• Typing Indicators: See who’s typing in group chats, adding a lively feel. Beta 1 shows indicators consistently but can lag in large groups.
• Apple Cash: Send and receive money in group chats (U.S. only), perfect for splitting bills. Beta 1 requires manual setup for new users, which could be streamlined.

CarPlay: Smarter Driving

CarPlay in developer beta 1 makes driving more connected:

• Compact Call View: Manage calls with a minimalist interface that keeps your focus on the road. Beta 1’s layout is clean but may need polish for smaller screens.
• Messages Integration: Use Tapbacks or pin conversations for quick access. Beta 1 supports basic Tapbacks but lacks advanced reactions.
• Widgets and Live Activities: Get real-time updates like navigation prompts or music playback. Beta 1’s Live Activities are smooth but limited to select apps.

Preview App: A New Hub for PDFs and Images

Developer beta 1 introduces the Preview app to iOS 26, bringing powerful PDF and image editing tools to the iPhone:

• PDF Viewing and Markup: Open PDFs directly in Preview to highlight, annotate, or sign documents using your finger or a stylus. Beta 1’s markup tools are responsive but lack an undo history, which can be frustrating for complex edits.
• AutoFill for Forms: Fill out PDF forms quickly by pulling data from your contacts or saved information, such as addresses or signatures. Beta 1’s AutoFill is accurate but slow for large forms, occasionally requiring manual input.
• Image Editing: Crop, rotate, or mark up images with simple tools, making it easy to annotate screenshots or photos. Beta 1’s image editing is basic but functional, with plans for more advanced features in later betas.
• iCloud Sync: Edits sync across your Apple devices, so you can start marking up a PDF on your iPhone and finish on your iPad or Mac. Beta 1’s sync is reliable but may lag with large files.

The Preview app makes the iPhone a more capable productivity tool, especially for students or professionals who need to review documents on the go, though beta 1’s feature set feels slightly limited compared to its iPadOS counterpart.

Battery Settings: Enhanced Management and Adaptive Power

iOS 26 developer beta 1 revamps the Battery section in the Settings app, introducing advanced tools to monitor and optimize power usage:

• Redesigned Battery Interface: The Battery settings feature a cleaner, more intuitive layout with a detailed breakdown of battery usage by app, system processes, and background activity. Beta 1 includes a new graph showing power consumption trends over the past 24 hours or 7 days, with color-coded categories for easier analysis.
• Time to Charge Estimate: A new “Time to Charge” feature displays an estimated time to reach a full charge based on your charger’s wattage and current battery level. For example, plugging in a 20W charger at 20% battery might show “Estimated time to 100%: 1 hour 45 minutes.” Beta 1’s estimates are accurate for wired charging but inconsistent for wireless chargers like MagSafe.
• Adaptive Power Setting: A standout addition, the Adaptive Power setting uses machine learning to dynamically adjust performance based on your usage patterns and battery level. For instance, it might throttle background app refresh or reduce screen brightness during low-power scenarios, while prioritizing performance for demanding tasks like gaming when fully charged. Beta 1’s Adaptive Power is effective but may feel overly aggressive, occasionally dimming the screen unexpectedly during normal use.
• Battery Health Insights: Enhanced Battery Health metrics show cycle count, maximum capacity, and an “Optimized Charging” toggle that pauses charging at 80% during long plug-in periods to preserve battery lifespan. Beta 1’s Optimized Charging works well but may not activate during short charging sessions.
• Low Power Mode Enhancements: Low Power Mode now offers customizable settings, letting you choose which features (e.g., 5G, background app refresh, or visual effects) to disable. Beta 1’s customization is promising but occasionally resets to default settings.

These updates make it easier to monitor and extend your iPhone’s battery life, with Adaptive Power adding a smart layer of automation, though beta 1’s Time to Charge and Adaptive Power features need refinement for broader charger compatibility and smoother performance adjustments.

More iOS 26 Features in Beta 1

Developer beta 1 is packed with additional updates:

• Apple Music: Translate lyrics, view pronunciation guides, or use AutoMix for seamless playlists. Beta 1’s lyric translation is limited to major languages, and AutoMix can feel repetitive.
• Maps: Visited Places logs your travels (encrypted for privacy), while daily route intelligence suggests faster commutes. Beta 1’s route suggestions are accurate but lack public transit integration.
• Wallet: Pay with installments or rewards at select merchants, and use refreshed boarding passes with Live Activities. Beta 1 supports major airlines but not all regional carriers.
• Apple Games App: A new hub for over 200 Apple Arcade titles, with leaderboards and recommendations. Beta 1 feels snappy but lacks some third-party game support.
• AirPods Enhancements: AirPods 4 and Pro 2 support studio-quality audio and camera remote features. Beta 1’s camera remote is finicky with low-light shots.
• Child Accounts: Set time limits, block apps, or monitor usage with enhanced parental controls. Beta 1’s setup is straightforward but lacks granular app restrictions.
• Safari: Advanced fingerprinting protection blocks trackers. Beta 1’s privacy features are robust but may slow some ad-heavy sites.
• Accessibility: Includes Accessibility Reader, Braille Access, Live Listen for AirPods, Background Sounds, and Personal Voice. Beta 1’s Accessibility Reader works well but struggles with complex PDFs.

Supported Devices and Availability

iOS 26 developer beta 1 supports iPhone 11 and later, but Apple Intelligence features like Visual Intelligence require iPhone 16, 15 Pro, or 15 Pro Max. Available now through the Apple Developer Program, a public beta is expected in July 2025, with a full release in September or October. Beta 1 is stable for a first release but has minor bugs, so use caution on primary device

iPadOS 26 Developer Beta 1: A Productivity Powerhouse

iPadOS 26 developer beta 1 is a landmark update, transforming the iPad into a device that rivals laptops for productivity and creativity. With a revolutionary windowing system, a new Preview app, and deeper Apple Intelligence integration, here’s what beta 1 offers.

Liquid Glass: A Visual Overhaul

The Liquid Glass design in developer beta 1 brings a glossy, dynamic aesthetic to the iPad’s Home Screen, with fluid animations that make every interaction feel premium. Customize app icons and widgets with light or dark tints, or rearrange them for a workflow-friendly layout. Apps like Mail, Safari, Apple TV, and Apple Music feature redesigned interfaces with larger buttons, smoother transitions, and a consistent Liquid Glass theme. The Control Center is more customizable, letting you pin frequently used controls or add accessibility toggles like VoiceOver shortcuts. Beta 1’s animations are smooth but may stutter on older iPads during heavy multitasking.

Windowing System: Multitasking Reimagined

The new windowing system is the star of iPadOS 26 developer beta 1, making multitasking intuitive and powerful:

• Intuitive Controls: Open multiple app windows, resize them, or move them anywhere. Each window has options to close, minimize, resize, or tile, offering desktop-like flexibility. Beta 1’s controls are responsive but may crash with too many windows open.
• Window Tiling: Flick a window to tile it alongside others, with the system remembering your preferred sizes and positions. Beta 1’s tiling is intuitive but lacks snap-to-grid precision.
• Exposé: See all open windows in a clean view. Beta 1’s Exposé is fast but can feel cluttered with many apps.
• Stage Manager and External Displays: Enhanced for iPad Air (5th gen+), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd gen+), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th gen+), and iPad Pro (M4), with support for 6K external monitors. Beta 1’s external display support is solid but may lag with high-resolution outputs.
• Menu Bar: A macOS-inspired menu bar provides quick access to app commands and universal search. Beta 1’s menu bar is customizable but limited to Apple apps.

Apple Intelligence: Smarts for Productivity

Apple Intelligence in developer beta 1 brings powerful features optimized for the iPad’s larger canvas:

• Live Translation: Use real-time translation in Phone, FaceTime, and Messages for nine languages. Beta 1’s translation is smooth but may drop in low-bandwidth scenarios.
• Genmoji and Image Playground: Create custom emojis or images for presentations, with ChatGPT-powered styles like sketch or 3D render. Beta 1’s image generation is impressive but slow for complex prompts.
• Intelligent Shortcuts: Summarize documents or generate visuals with natural language commands. Beta 1 supports basic summarization but needs work for lengthy texts.

Files App: Smarter Organization

The Files app in developer beta 1 is a power user’s dream:

• List View: Resize columns, collapse folders, or sort by type, date, or size. Beta 1’s view is customizable but may lag with large directories.
• Folder Customization: Add colors, icons, or emojis to folders, synced via iCloud. Beta 1 offers limited emoji options.
• Quick Access: Drag folders to the Dock or pin to the sidebar. Beta 1’s drag-and-drop is smooth but occasionally misplaces folders.
• Default Apps: Assign apps to open specific file types. Beta 1 supports major file types but not all third-party apps.

Preview App: A Productivity Powerhouse

The new Preview app in developer beta 1 is a dedicated hub for viewing and editing PDFs and images, optimized for the iPad’s larger screen and Apple Pencil support:

• PDF Viewing and Markup: Annotate PDFs with Apple Pencil or your finger, using tools for highlighting, drawing, or signing. Beta 1’s markup is precise and supports pressure sensitivity, but lacks an undo history, which can disrupt workflows.
• AutoFill for Forms: Fill out PDF forms quickly by pulling data from contacts or saved info, such as addresses or signatures. Beta 1’s AutoFill is reliable but slow for complex forms with multiple fields.
• Image Editing: Crop, rotate, or mark up images with intuitive tools, ideal for annotating diagrams or photos. Beta 1’s image editing is robust but lacks advanced filters or layer support.
• Apple Pencil Integration: Leverage Apple Pencil for precise markup, with support for new Reed Pen calligraphy styles in beta 1. The app feels tailored for iPad users who rely on the Pencil for note-taking or design.
• iCloud Sync: Edits sync across your Apple devices, so you can start on your iPad and continue on your iPhone or Mac. Beta 1’s sync is generally stable but may lag with large PDFs.

The Preview app in iPadOS 26 makes the iPad a serious tool for document management, rivaling desktop apps like Adobe Acrobat, though beta 1’s performance needs polish for heavy use cases.

Audio and Video: Studio-Quality Tools

Developer beta 1 enhances multimedia:

• Background Tasks: Run long processes like video rendering with Live Activities. Beta 1’s tasks are stable but may drain battery.
• Audio Options: Choose microphones per app or website, with Voice Isolation. AirPods 4 and Pro 2 support studio-quality recording. Beta 1’s Voice Isolation works well but may cut off faint voices.
• Local Capture: Record high-quality audio and video for calls. Beta 1’s echo cancellation is effective but inconsistent in noisy environments.

New Apps and Communication Features

Developer beta 1 introduces new ways to create and connect:

• Journal App: Capture ideas with Apple Pencil or touch, adding drawings, photos, videos, audio, or locations. Create multiple journals with a map view. Beta 1’s journaling is intuitive but lacks export options.
• Apple Games App: A gaming hub with over 200 Apple Arcade titles and a Game Overlay. Beta 1’s overlay is responsive but crashes with some games.
• Messages: Customize backgrounds, create polls, see typing indicators, and use Apple Cash (U.S. only). Beta 1’s features are stable but polls are limited.
• Phone App: Includes Hold Assist and Call Screening. Beta 1’s screening is effective but slow for non-English languages.

Additional Features

• Reed Pen: Use Apple Pencil for calligraphy in Notes, Preview, Freeform, Journal, Markup, and third-party apps via PencilKit. Beta 1’s pen is smooth but lacks pressure sensitivity tweaks.
• Calculator: Graph equations in 3D with Math Notes. Beta 1’s graphing is accurate but slow for complex equations.
• Notes: Import/export markdown and transcribe phone conversations. Beta 1’s transcription is reliable but limited to English.
• Accessibility: Includes Accessibility Reader, Braille Access, shared settings, and Live Listen. Beta 1’s reader works well but struggles with dense text.

Supported Devices and Availability

iPadOS 26 developer beta 1 supports iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen+), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen+), iPad Air (M2+), iPad Air (3rd gen+), iPad (A16), iPad (8th gen+), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad mini (5th gen+). Apple Intelligence features require iPad mini (A17 Pro) or iPads with M1 or later. Available now through the Apple Developer Program, a public beta is expected in July 2025, with a full release this fall. Beta 1 is promising but has performance hiccups on older devices.

Final Thoughts

iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 developer beta 1 offer a thrilling glimpse into Apple’s vision for the future of mobile. iOS 26 makes the iPhone a joy to use, with a gorgeous Liquid Glass design, smarter apps like Phone, Messages, and the new Preview app, advanced battery management with Adaptive Power, and Apple Intelligence features that anticipate your needs—though beta 1’s rough edges show there’s work to be done. iPadOS 26 transforms the iPad into a productivity beast, with a windowing system that rivals macOS, a powerful Preview app optimized for Apple Pencil, and tools that make it a creator’s dream. Available now for developers and coming to public beta next month, these updates promise a more personal, productive, and fun experience when they launch this fall. Stay tuned for future betas to see how Apple polishes these ambitious releases.