iOS 26’s Hidden Ringtone Sparks Major Debate
The iOS 26 beta is already proving to be a treasure trove of unannounced features, giving eager iPhone users a sneak peek at what’s coming. While Apple unveiled many updates at WWDC, beta testers are discovering hidden gems buried deep in the code. One such find is a brand-new ringtone, and it’s quickly become a polarizing topic among iPhone fans.
Discovered and shared on social media by beta users like @8810cfw on X, the ringtone was quickly confirmed by others, including MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. Its official internal title is reportedly ‘ReflectionAlt1-EncoreRemix’.
What Does the Secret Ringtone Sound Like?
Listeners describe the tone as sounding like it’s played on a xylophone or a similar percussion instrument. Aaron Perris characterized it as “glassy,” leading some to speculate if its unique texture could tie into the rumored ‘Liquid Glass’ design aesthetic expected in iOS 26.
However it’s described, the melody has sparked a lively, and sometimes heated, debate online.
A “Banger” or Simply “Bleak”?
Reactions on social media are starkly divided. Many users expressed genuine enthusiasm for the new sound:
“That is an actual banger.”
“Oooo I like this.”
“I love it!”
Some were particularly impressed, with one user under Perris’s post declaring, “Woah, that actually sounds insanely good. It can be for future generations what Marimba had been for OG iOS users.” This suggests the tone has the potential to become a classic like the iconic default from early iOS days.
On the flip side, a significant number of users found the ringtone unsettling or unpleasant:
“Sounds creepy.”
- It “would make me depressed.”
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One reaction even included the use of the ‘vomit’ emoji, highlighting the strength of negative feelings towards the melody.
Will It Make the Final Cut?
As exciting (or cringeworthy) as the discovery is, it’s important to remember that iOS 26 is still in its developer beta phase. A public beta is expected later in July, with the full, stable release scheduled for later in the year. This means there’s no guarantee that ‘ReflectionAlt1-EncoreRemix’ will be included in the final version of the operating system that rolls out to everyone.
This ringtone is just one piece of the puzzle for iOS 26. The update is packed with various new features, including enhancements beyond the core OS. For instance, Apple is bringing new capabilities to specific AirPods models (AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC), such as “studio-quality audio recording” and a “camera remote” function, leveraging their H2 chips. Discoveries like these, and the ringtone, offer early glimpses into the breadth of changes coming.
Apple typically holds a major event in September, often focused on new iPhones (like the anticipated iPhone 16 lineup) and providing more details on the upcoming software releases like iOS 26. It’s possible that more about the final set of system sounds, and all the confirmed new features, will be revealed then.
In the meantime, if the thought of a potentially divisive new ringtone makes you anxious, take comfort in the fact that iOS 26 is also making it easier than ever to load your own custom ringtones onto your iPhone.
