iOS 26 and Liquid Glass UI: Bold Redesign or Beautiful Disaster?

Apple is calling iOS 26 its most significant overhaul in years—and from what we’ve seen so far, it’s easy to see why. The centerpiece of the update is a brand-new design language called Liquid Glass, inspired by visionOS (used in Apple’s XR headset). The goal? A unified look and feel across all Apple platforms. But not everyone’s convinced this new aesthetic is a win.

Liquid Glass: The Future or a Flashback?

The Liquid Glass UI brings sweeping visual changes. Apple’s first-party apps now sport more fluid animations, rounded elements, and heavy use of translucency. The Safari tab bar, for instance, has been slimmed down, and overall screen space feels better utilized.

Supporters are calling it modern, immersive, and fluid—ideal for blending the iPhone experience with Apple’s other platforms.

Critics, on the other hand, argue that the heavy reliance on transparency is hurting legibility. Some have gone as far as calling it “iOS Vista,” likening it to the infamous design decisions from Windows Vista. Ouch.

Beyond the Look: What Else is New in iOS 26?

While Liquid Glass grabs the spotlight, iOS 26 introduces several meaningful features:

Games App: A dedicated hub with Arcade, Play Together, and Library tabs—making it easier to discover and enjoy games with friends.

Wallet App Update: New boarding pass UI with integrated airport maps.

Maps: Smarter routing that learns your preferred paths.

Visual Intelligence: Improved tools for image recognition and smart actions.

Call Screening & Hold Assist: Spam calls get filtered, and you’ll know how long a hold will last.

CarPlay Update: Liquid Glass visuals now extend to your car’s dashboard too.

When Can You Try It?

iOS 26 is currently available as a developer beta, with a public beta landing next month. The final stable version is expected to roll out this fall—likely alongside the iPhone 17 series.

So, is iOS 26 a game-changer or a step back?

The bold new design will definitely take some getting used to. If Apple nails performance and accessibility, this could be the start of a new era in UI design. But if translucency ends up hurting usability, users might be longing for the simplicity of the past.

Are you excited to try iOS 26 and Liquid Glass? Or are you worried Apple went too far with the redesign?

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