iOS 26 public beta 3 has already arrived — here's what's new

It's only been a week since Apple released the second iOS 26 public beta, but now the third version of the pre-release software is available to install. It's quite a large update — over 10GB — though you shouldn't expect a great many new features and upgrades this late in the game.

Since the iPhone 17 is expected to launch on September 9, with iOS 26 pre-installed, we're really not that far from seeing the final version of iOS 26 roll out to everyone. So while we shouldn't expect any enormous changes to happen between now and then, it doesn't mean Apple still can't keep refining the software. Because it's crucial the launch goes as smoothly as possible.

This release also coincides with a re-release of iOS 26 developer beta 6, and like previous updates, it means that the two have pretty close ties. In fact, all the upgrades are basically the same.

So without further ado, here's everything new coming with iOS 26 public beta 3.

Six new ringtones

If you're tired of the ringtone selection already available on your iPhone, then iOS 26 has your back with six new ones. Ok, they're all variants of the existing "reflection" ringtone, but it's always nice to get new personalization options in your phone. Especially when they sound this good.

Your new options are Buoyant, Pond, Dreamer, Pop, Reflected and Surge.

Smoother animations

While this is a small change most people probably won't notice, Apple has made the animations in iOS 26 a little smoother. The new update makes the animations faster and what has been described as "snappier" over on social media. Which means getting into and out of your apps is now faster and smoother than before.

Tweaks to Liquid Glass

Liquid Glass is the main selling point for iOS 26 and it makes sense that Apple wants the redesign to be as perfect as it possibly can be ahead of the official release. So iOS 26 public beta 3 has done some more work to fix one of the update's key criticisms: lack of readability.

Apple isn't making the design more opaque, and some areas are apparently even "glassier" than before. However the main thing you might notice is the magnifying-glass-like selector is now getting more color dispersion — meaning better blurred and rainbow effects around the edges of the selector itself.

The lockscreen has also received more Liquid Glass features, including Liquid Glass effects on the clock and other widgets.

New startup sequence

Apple's also added a new startup sequence when you update to a new version of iOS 26, walking you through all the changes in a more visually appealing way than before — while also introducing users to things like Liquid Glass in the process.

So if you're completely unaware of the changes Apple has made, you won't be in for a shock when you unlock your phone.

Groundwork for real-time translation

We already heard about this change earlier in the week, but it's still a pretty exciting prospect. It's nowhere near ready , but code in the iOS 26 beta has revealed that Apple may be adding a real-time translation feature to iOS and Apple's AirPods in the near future.

Let's just hope it's better than Apple's previous attempt at translation, or at the very least a lot less frustrating.

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.

More from Tom's Guide

• I review iPads for a living — here's 15 iPad shortcuts I can't live without
• Right now is the worst time to buy a new iPhone — here’s why
• I've tried out the biggest addition to iOS 26 Maps — here's what I like and what I don't