Every year, iPhone enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the release of OS updates for their beloved devices. Occasionally, Apple unveils significant design changes to revitalize the user interface. This trend suggests that 2025 will see one such transformation, with the company adopting a “Glassy” aesthetic. iOS 26, previously known as iOS 19, is expected to embody this new design language, and recent concept renders provide a preview of what users might experience.

The concept images were created by Sebastiaan de With, a respected figure in the Apple design community. Having previously contributed to Apple’s design work, de With’s insights into iOS 26 are grounded in a deep understanding of the company’s design philosophies and potential trajectories for its mobile operating system. The “Glassy” design aims to emphasize a more tactile and interactive experience in user interfaces. De With draws inspiration from the concept of “physicality,” suggesting that the new renders will introduce depth, translucency, and a stronger sense of interaction with digital elements.

This design philosophy envisions interface components that possess a delicate three-dimensional quality, enhanced by the play of light and shadow. The term “Glassy” signifies the use of transparency and blur effects, which could create visual layering as elements interact subtly with the content behind them. This approach diverges from the old skeuomorphic designs, instead offering a modern interpretation of depth in a way that feels more tactile within a digital framework. The potential new design aligns with a broader movement in UI design that seeks to bridge the digital and physical realms, delivering a more intuitive user experience.

By introducing visual cues that convey depth and materiality, the “Glassy” design could make device interactions feel more natural and engaging. While these concepts remain speculative, de With’s background lends considerable credibility to this vision. We await official announcements from Apple, but if these renders hint at the future direction, we can look forward to a visually refreshing and subtly interactive experience in iOS 26.