The iOS 26 Public Beta 5, released on August 26, 2025, has tech fans buzzing with its polished features and glimpses of what’s coming at Apple’s September 9 event.
This latest beta refines the Liquid Glass design, boosts Apple Intelligence, and revamps apps like Phone and Messages.
Compatible with iPhone 11 and newer, iOS 26 Public Beta 5 offers a sneak peek at the iPhone 17 experience.
Here’s what’s new, when to expect the full release, what experts think, and the social media chatter surrounding iOS 26 Public Beta.
New Features in iOS 26 Public Beta 5
The iOS 26 Public Beta 5 brings Apple’s ambitious Liquid Glass design closer to its final form. This interface, inspired by visionOS, uses translucent, rounded elements that reflect light with subtle animations, making your iPhone’s Home Screen, Lock Screen, and apps feel fluid and alive.
The beta refines legibility issues from earlier versions, with darker notification backgrounds and less opaque menu bars in apps like Photos and Music, ensuring text is easier to read.
A new 3D photo effect lets images pop out when you tilt your phone, adding a playful touch to your wallpapers.
The Phone app gets a major overhaul with a unified layout combining Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails. Call Screening asks unknown callers for their name and purpose, helping you decide whether to pick up.
Apple Intelligence powers Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, instantly translating conversations across languages like English, Spanish, and Japanese.
Messages also now support custom backgrounds from your Photos library and real-time polls for group chats.
The Camera app simplifies controls with a scrollable command bar, while a Lens Cleaning Hint suggests wiping your lens for better shots.
iOS 26 Public Beta 5 also introduces Adaptive Power Mode on iPhone 15 Pro and newer, tweaking settings like screen brightness to save battery life, with a new toggle for notifications when it activates.
Release Date Rumors
The iOS 26 Public Beta 5 is likely the final public beta before the full release, expected around September 15, 2025, shortly after Apple’s iPhone event on September 9.
This timeline follows Apple’s pattern of launching new iOS versions a week after unveiling new iPhones, with the iPhone 17 series set to ship on September 19, pre-installed with iOS 26.
A release candidate for developers is expected on September 9, ironing out any last bugs. If you’re testing iOS 26 Public Beta, you can update via Settings > General > Software Update, but be warned—betas can still have glitches, so avoid installing on your main device.
Expert Opinions
Tech analysts are impressed with iOS 26 Public Beta 5’s polish but note areas for improvement. 9to5Mac praises the Liquid Glass design as “ambitious and whimsical” but flags lingering text legibility issues, especially with transparent navigation bars.
MacRumors notes the beta’s smoother animations and faster app launches, calling it “a solid step toward a stable release.”
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman highlights the Phone app’s Call Screening as a “game-changer for managing spam,” though he cautions that Apple Intelligence features, like Visual Intelligence for screen content analysis, are limited to iPhone 15 Pro and newer.
Some experts, like those at Tom’s Guide, say the beta’s stability makes it tempting to try, but they advise waiting for iOS 26.0.1 in October for a bug-free experience.
Social Buzz Around iOS 26 Public Beta
On X, users are excited about iOS 26 Public Beta 5’s visual flair. Posts rave about the “Dreamer” ringtone and snappier animations, with one user calling Liquid Glass “like my iPhone got a sci-fi makeover.”
The 3D photo effect is a hit, with fans sharing clips of their Lock Screens coming to life. However, some complain about bugs, like UI stuttering or CarPlay issues, with one user saying, “Liquid Glass looks cool but feels dated on my iPhone 12.”
The Phone app’s new features are trending, with users loving Call Screening but debating the unified layout’s usability. Hashtags like #iOS26 and #LiquidGlass are gaining traction as fans await the September launch.
Why This Matters
The iOS 26 Public Beta 5 is a bold preview of Apple’s vision for the iPhone 17 and beyond. Its Liquid Glass design makes your phone feel fresh, while practical upgrades like Call Screening and Live Translation solve real-world annoyances.
With Apple Intelligence expanding, iOS 26 is set to make your iPhone smarter and more personal. If you’re curious, join the beta at beta.apple.com, but back up your device first.
As the Apple September Event approaches, iOS 26 Public Beta 5 shows Apple is ready to make waves. Keep an eye on Apple’s site for the final release details.
Apple iOS 26 public beta 5 is live: Here are all the new iPhone features coming in September https://t.co/aenlIJJXcC
— iTroubleshootAI (@Troublesho56248) August 27, 2025
Also Read: Apple September Event 2025: 8 Unexpected Product Launches Revealed
Abdul Basit is a US-based tech writer who covers Apple innovations, Tesla’s EV growth, AI breakthroughs, smartphone trends, and app reviews for global readers.