Apple has officially rolled out iOS 26 beta 4 to developers, offering a more refined look at what’s coming in the next major iPhone software update. With improvements to the Liquid Glass interface and the return of AI-powered news notification summaries, iOS 26 is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic updates in recent years.
This latest beta lands just ahead of the expected release of the iOS 26 public beta, which will be available to general users later this week.
🔍 What’s New in iOS 26 Beta 4?
1. Liquid Glass UI Tweaks Continue
Apple is still fine-tuning its new Liquid Glass design language, which brings a more fluid, translucent look to core system apps. In beta 4:
- Some transparency effects removed in beta 3 have returned.
- Apps like Photos, Apple Music, App Store, Weather, and even the Notification Center now feature more dynamic tinting and smoother scrolling effects.
2. AI-Powered News Summaries Make a Comeback
After a controversial pause earlier this year, Apple has reintroduced AI-generated news notifications:
- These summaries now come with a clear warning during setup:
“Summarization may change the meaning of the original headlines. Please verify information.” - This disclaimer comes after a major issue involving misreporting in an earlier AI summary involving a BBC news story.
With this update, Apple is prioritizing transparency and media accuracy, while continuing to explore how AI can streamline user experience.
3. New Welcome and Onboarding Screens
Beta 4 also introduces:
- A new splash screen when updating to iOS 26
- Introductory setup guides for updated features like:
- Siri’s AI improvements
- Notification prioritization settings
- The revamped Camera app
🧪 What the Beta Means for Users
While still in developer-only stages, iOS 26 beta 4 gives a preview of what public beta testers — and eventually all iPhone users — can expect. These changes signal Apple’s focus on:
- A more immersive, visual UI
- Thoughtful integration of generative AI
- More user control over what AI features are enabled
The public beta of iOS 26 is expected to go live later this week, with the full rollout likely to happen this fall.
📅 When Will iOS 26 Launch?
Apple usually releases its major iOS updates in September, following the launch of the next iPhone lineup. Based on this timeline:
- Public beta: Late July 2025
- Official release: Likely mid to late September 2025
🧠 Final Thoughts
iOS 26 is blending design innovation with AI-powered personalization, but not without growing pains. Apple appears committed to refining features based on real-world feedback — and beta 4 is proof of that.
Whether you’re a developer, a public beta tester, or just curious about what’s next for your iPhone, iOS 26 is definitely an update to watch.