Published: 10th June 2025 | TF2 Smartphone Solutions Tech Blog
Right, let’s talk about iOS 26. Apple’s just dropped the details at WWDC 2025, and blimey, this is shaping up to be one of the biggest iPhone updates we’ve seen in years. As your go-to mobile repair specialists here at TF2, we’ve had a proper look at what this means for you, our customers, and how it’ll affect our repair services.
What’s All the Fuss About Then?
iOS 26 is quite frankly a massive shift in how Apple thinks about mobile software. They’re calling it “Liquid Glass” design alongside some seriously clever Apple Intelligence features. The update’s coming this autumn (we reckon September, probably with the iPhone 17 launch), with a developer beta out now and public beta next month.
Here’s What’s Coming:
- Completely new look with this “Liquid Glass” business
- Smarter Apple Intelligence with live translation and visual search
- Better call and message handling to stop all those annoying interruptions
- New Apple Games app putting all your games in one place
- Upgraded CarPlay including the new CarPlay Ultra
- Big compatibility changes that’ll affect older phones
CarPlay-Apple-iOS26-iPhone
This “Liquid Glass” Thing – What’s That About?
The first thing you’ll notice is how different everything looks. Apple’s gone and redesigned the whole interface with this “Liquid Glass” system. It’s not just about looking pretty though – it changes how you actually use your phone.
What It Actually Does:
- Makes interface bits see-through and reflective, adapting to what you’re looking at
- Gives you visual feedback that responds when you touch things
- Lets you customise app icons and widgets in new ways
- Creates wallpapers with 3D effects when you move your phone about
Why This Matters for Us at TF2: When this update drops, customers are going to immediately spot if their phone isn’t running the latest software. We’re expecting loads of questions about compatibility and probably quite a few people wanting to upgrade their older iPhones.
Apple Intelligence Gets Proper Clever
Now this is where things get interesting. Apple Intelligence is getting some serious upgrades that’ll change how people use their phones day-to-day.
Live Translation That Actually Works
- Translates conversations in real-time during Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls
- All processed on your phone so your conversations stay private
- Works with loads of languages – English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and more
Your Phone Can Now “See” What You’re Looking At
- AI that understands your screen and can act on what’s displayed
- ChatGPT built right in for asking questions about what you’re viewing
- Smart calendar features that spot events and add them automatically
- Product search through Google, Etsy, and other services just by pointing your camera
Creative Tools That Don’t Suck
- Better Genmoji and Image Playground for making personalised content
- Smarter Shortcuts with AI suggestions for automating tasks
- Automatic order tracking that reads your delivery emails and summarises everything
Finally! Calls and Messages That Don’t Drive You Mad
One of the best bits about iOS 26 is how it tackles those annoying interruptions we all get:
No More Spam Calls (Well, Mostly)
- Automatic call screening for numbers you don’t know, using AI to figure out who’s calling
- Hold Assist that tells you when you’ve finally got through to a real person
- Tidier Phone app with Favourites, Recent calls, and Voicemails all in one place
Messages That Make Sense
- Unknown sender filtering with a separate folder for dodgy messages
- Group chat polls with AI that suggests when they might be handy
- Custom backgrounds made through Image Playground
- Apple Cash in group chats for splitting bills and such
Right, Will Your Phone Actually Run It?
This is the big question, isn’t it? Here’s the lowdown on what phones will work:
You’re Alright:
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 series (all of them)
- iPhone 13 series (all of them)
- iPhone 14 series (all of them)
- iPhone 15 series (all of them)
- iPhone 16 series (all of them)
- Whatever iPhone 17 models Apple announces
Sorry, You’re Out of Luck:
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS and XS Max
- iPhone X and anything older
iPhone-Apple-iOS26
The Catch: Even if your phone can run iOS 26, the fancy Apple Intelligence stuff only works on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model. So if you’ve got an older phone that’s compatible, you’ll get the new look but miss out on the clever AI bits.
What Does This Mean for TF2 Smartphone Solutions?
We’re Going to Be Busy
More People Asking About Upgrades We’re already bracing for loads of customers asking about upgrading, especially those with iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max models. These phones are still perfectly good, but they’ll miss out on security updates and all the new features.
Battery and Performance Issues iOS 26’s got some hefty visual and AI changes. If you’ve got an older compatible phone (iPhone 11-13), you might notice:
- Your battery doesn’t last as long because of all the fancy graphics
- Things run a bit slower if your phone doesn’t have much RAM
- Your phone gets warm when using the AI features
More Repair Work Coming Our Way
- Battery replacements are going to go through the roof as people try to squeeze more life out of their phones
- Screen repairs become more important because the new interface really shows up display problems
- Storage advice as people need more space for AI features
Helping Our Customers Understand
Screen Quality Suddenly Matters More The new Liquid Glass interface is going to make cracked screens, dead pixels, and dodgy colours really stand out. If you’ve been putting off that screen repair, iOS 26 might just push you over the edge.
Getting Your Phone Ready We’re preparing to offer:
- Help installing and setting up iOS 26
- Making sure your phone runs the new AI features properly
- Sorting out storage problems
- Checking your battery’s up to the job
For Our Repair Technicians
New Challenges Coming Up
iOS 26’s fancy AI features mean we’ll need to test things differently:
- Neural Engine checks to make sure Apple Intelligence works properly
- Camera testing for all the Visual Intelligence features
- Microphone checks for call screening and live translation
What We Need to Stock Up On
Based on what iOS 26 demands, we’re going to need:
- Better batteries for phones that’ll be working harder
- Top-quality screens because customers will notice the difference more
- Camera parts as people use AI photography features more
Timeline: What Happens When
For Our Customers
Right Now (June-July 2025):
- Check if your phone will work with iOS 26
- Get your battery tested if you’ve got an older compatible phone
- Think about upgrading if your phone won’t be supported
Before Launch (August-September 2025):
- Back up all your important stuff
- Consider upgrading if you want the full Apple Intelligence experience
- Clear out old photos and apps to make room
After Launch (Autumn 2025):
- Come see us for iOS 26 setup help
- Keep an eye on battery life and performance
- Make the most of the new privacy features
For TF2
Staff Training:
- Learning iOS 26’s diagnostic requirements
- Understanding Apple Intelligence hardware needs
- Helping customers decide between repair and upgrade
Marketing Plans:
- Pre-iOS 26 health checks for phones
- Upgrade consultation services
- Battery replacement deals for older phones
The Bottom Line
iOS 26 isn’t just another software update – it’s Apple showing us where mobile tech is headed. The AI integration, design changes, and privacy improvements are going to fundamentally change how people use their phones.
For us at TF2 Smartphone Solutions, this creates both challenges and opportunities. We need to be ready for loads more questions about compatibility, performance, and upgrades whilst positioning ourselves as the experts who can guide customers through this tech transition.
Our Advice: Start thinking about your phone’s future now. If you’ve got an unsupported device, plan your upgrade timeline. If you’ve got an older phone that’ll work with iOS 26, consider whether it can handle all the new features without struggling.
The smartphone world moves fast, and staying ahead of these changes means we can keep giving you the expert service you expect. iOS 26 isn’t just another update – it’s the start of a new chapter in mobile technology.
Got questions about iOS 26 compatibility or need help getting your phone ready for the update? Pop into TF2 Smartphone Solutions for expert advice and service. Our certified technicians are ready to help you navigate the switch to Apple’s most advanced mobile operating system yet.
We Can Help With:
- Checking if your phone will work with iOS 26
- Optimising your hardware before the update
- Upgrade consultation services
- iOS 26 installation help (available autumn 2025)
Keep up with TF2 Smartphone Solutions for the latest mobile tech news and expert repair services.
What do you think about iOS 26? Are you excited about the new features, or worried about compatibility? Drop us a comment below and let us know your thoughts! We love hearing from our customers and community about the latest tech developments. Whether you’re planning to upgrade or hoping your current phone will handle the new features, we’d love to hear your perspective.
