With the Release Candidate now in circulation, iOS 26.1 is expected to arrive on iPhones next weekIt's not a monumental update, but it is one of those that polishes the experience, corrects minor issues, and adds adjustments highly requested by users.
For those living in Spain and the rest of Europe, the The rollout will be over-the-air (OTA) and phased in.As usual. If you don't want to wait, the RC (which usually coincides with the final version) can already be installed by following a few simple steps on your iPhone.
Changes that solve everyday annoyances
The iOS 26 redesign with Liquid Glass was as striking as it was controversial. Now Apple adds a toggle in Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid glass to choose between "Claro" and "Dyeing," which reduces transparency and increases contrast to improve readability.
Another expected adjustment: it is now possible to go to Settings > Camera disable the left swipe gesture which opened the camera from the lock screen. This prevents accidental openings and unwanted pocket photos.
The interaction with alarms and timers also changes: in the Clock app, a control appears for "swipe to stop"This gesture requires intentional action and reduces accidental touches when waking up half asleep.
What's new in apps and settings
Apple Music is bringing a quick and practical feature: slide the MiniPlayer Press left to skip to the next song or right to go back to the previous one, with subtle haptic feedback.
The Apple TV app launches new icon and simplified brandleaving behind the "+". It's a minor change, but it aligns image and service within the ecosystem.
Screen recording adds an option to "Local capture" among its settings, giving more control over how and where the captures are saved.
In addition, they are appreciated visual tweaks in native apps such as Calendar and Phone, and small gestures that speed up text editing, without altering the familiar iOS base.
Apple Intelligence and languages
Apple continues to expand its AI: Apple Intelligence adds support for more languages at the system level, such as Turkish, Dutch, or Vietnamese, which opens the door to features more useful for European users.
In live translation with AirPods, iOS 26.1 incorporates Mandarin (simplified and traditional), Italian, Japanese, and KoreanTo use it, you need an iPhone with AI capabilities and Compatible AirPods (e.g., AirPods Pro).
Performance and battery
Beyond the visible changes, the system feels more agile and consistent in animationswith fewer micro-cuts when opening apps or typing.
In tests with Geekbench 6 performed on two iPhone 17 Pro Max identical (one on iOS 26.0.1 and the other on the iOS 26.1 RC), the CPU score rose from around 7.258 to about 9.713 pointsOn GPUs, the values ​​remained in the range of 45.500 points, a sign that the leap is focused on the processor part.
There's also a feeling of more stable consumptionAfter the initial settling-in period, the battery returns to a predictable behavior similar to that of previous versions.
How to try it before launch
The RC is usually the final build that Apple releases a few days beforehand to developers and beta testers. If no last-minute bugs arise, That is the same version that the public receives.If you're interested in installing it now, simply activate it from Settings.
- Sign in beta.apple.com With Safari, sign up and log in with your Apple ID.
- Go to Settings> General> Software update.
- Opens Beta updates and choose Public or Developer Beta; then install iOS 26.1 RC.
When Apple releases the final version next week, you probably won't need to reinstall anything. And if you'd rather leave the program, go back to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and select "No" to stay on the stable channel.
Is it worth updating?
If you're already on iOS 26, you'll notice a system more polished and with less frictionIf you postponed the upgrade out of caution, iOS 26.1 is a mature and stable base to install with peace of mind.
- iOS 26 usersYou'll gain readability with Tinted mode, safer gestures, and better performance.
- Those who waitedThis is the first "round" version of the cycle, with key corrections and improvements.
With the Liquid Glass adjustment, the swipe camera lock, the new gesture for alarms, and the performance boost, iOS 26.1 It arrives as a sensible update that addresses the most frequent complaints without fireworks, but with improvements that are appreciated in daily use.
