WWDC 2025 took place 9 to June 13, and Apple dropped its biggest iPhone make -over over the years: iOS 26 with “liquid glass” mood everywhere. At first glance, there are eye -catching scripts and icons that look like glass layers, which change in real time, almost liked something from Vision Pro World. But when you start using it, the glow can stop. Is this really the next big thing for the iPhone? Or just a redesign that looks calm in the demo, but feels day to day? Let’s unpack
We’ve seen so far, why someone is wondering it’s a mess and if Apple has enough time to smooth things before September release.
Think of translucent panels that you move through the menu – buton, sliding switches, even app icons appear layered, which has a blot and wrestling effect on the fly. Ideas: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Beond are a harmoniously inspired AR/3D Work Vision Pro. Apple’s Design Team retrieved it as an engrossing, transparent user interface that estimates future AR -Wearable. On the stage of the WWDC, it looked like a demo -reality dynamic reproduction of technical muscles on a phone. Clearly, isn’t it? But what a main video can feel good in a daily driver can feel different on the driver.
Original Leakage versus Last Beta: Management Expectations
When leaks came out months ago, people made fun of style. Contrast problems quickly showed how Apple would solve lightness against different wallpapers. Leaked buildings then out of Marqui, the icons were unclear. Nevertheless, the final developer Beta became more transparent than expected. In blindness, the design teams may have fought late; The first signs suggested that they tightened things, but many say there is still delicate in the use of the real world. Reminds me of previous redesign: mockup can just go so far without real repetition engine.
Performance and battery: A heavy lift?
Rentings Laddy, transported items can make hardware in real time. The first beta testers reported that the stores – UI feel less shocked, especially on the old iPhone. GPU load appears to be loaded; Battery life can take a dip after hours of use. Sure, the first thing often underpapus form. But Apple usually meets the performance before public release. Anxiety: Can a decade -old code base, which has already been inflated since the year of the patch, can handle this new layer with effects without pulling the speed down? If there is a lot of time now, how much time is that stay to adapt by September? And will deeper rewriting to reduce fixed transparency or just decorations?
iOS 19 What to Expect, Supported iPhones, Release Date, and an Inside Look
Promotional and access to concerns
The design that floats on your wallpaper may look cool – until the light lock screens are difficult to read. Users with little vision or light background match with contrast. The control center may feel that the icon-disponing effect that floats on the blurred dirt on the house screen material, when you need a quick decoration, annoying, annoying.
Some menus were simple, but the options were hiding; New people can hunt for the characteristics that were clear. This is no less knot. They can disappoint everyday tasks: Reading notification, go on Wi-Fi, look at the widget. Exhibition settings can reduce the transparency system, but you cannot select it selectively, just for notifications of locking screen or control centers. All that or something may require an approach rethinking.
A historical parallel: iOS 7 Redux?
In 2013, iOS 7 Apple was the last big viewing change, and it felt strange to begin with – flat icons, bright colors, new typography. Betas was also a climate. But the basic things felt solid: smoothness, stability, performance improved over time. When the slides were squeezed, the users accepted it. However, with iOS 26, it seems that the basic things are shaped. The core look depends on openness everywhere. If he breaks lightness or performance, it’s not just a thick edge; It is prepared in the design. Q: What can Apple do swing enough to restore the basic things before rolling out on a large scale? Or we find a half -baked layer base?.
Aspect | Value/Detail | Citation |
---|---|---|
Design Name | Liquid Glass (translucent UI across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, etc.) | apple.com |
User Interest | 49% poll picked Liquid Glass as top feature | techradar.com |
Contrast Issues | ~60% of test cases/wallpapers fail legibility checks | bgr.com |
Performance | Occasional stutters reported in early beta | tomsguide.com |
Battery Impact | Adaptive Power mode introduced; beta shows ~5–10% drop under heavy UI use | theverge.com |
Release Timeline | Developer beta June; public beta July; final release mid-September (~12 weeks away) | indiatimes.com |
Pressure from new priorities
Recently, Apple has chased many big games: Vision Pro, Apple Intelligence, Folding in iPhone Roadmap. Bloomberg reported delayed in Siri Rewmps, defendant marketing requirements, hints under pressure behind all curtains.
It sounds like a quarrel: “We need something attractive to innovate.” The liquid glass fits that story – a bold visually. But attractive setbacks can be done without solid underprings. When the teams run to transport under the tight deadline, the corners are cut. Betas reveals rough edges: Dirty icon, hidden animation glitter, incompatible form. Some initial reports called parts of iOS 26 “Beyond The Mess” or “Just iOS18 with a shine” (paraphrasing of feedback from society). It speaks to expectations: If it looks like skin on the old code, people wonder what was taken decade.
What can apples do before September
Apple still has a few months. Historically, large redesign is the correct setting of gradually sons. They can adjust the stain intensity, add selective ornaments to transparency, streamlined animation, improve battery management. They can resume icon forms or contrast rules. They can optimize reproduction pipes to reduce the GPU load. Key: Priority to basic things on flashy effects. If a function compromises aromatic or slows the user interface, call it back. Tighten beyond betas. This means honest feedback loops: Test different backgrounds, old equipment, access landscape. Apple’s hallmark was Polish. If the son continues to feel half-taus, the risk is a rocky public release and disappointed user.
FAQ: iOS 26 liquid glass
Q1: What exactly is “liquid glass”?
This is the new design language of Apple in iOS 26. You will see transported, frost-branch layers under icons, menu and controls, with dynamic spots and refraction effects that navigate you. Objective: An integrated form of iPhone, iPad, Mac and Future AR devices inspired by the 3D interface of Vision Pro.
Q2: Why does the son look fat? Should i worry?
Early sons often highlight incomplete areas. For iOS 26, transparency-style adds complexity. The little smoothness or performance dips seen now is not final. Apple usually processes the view and optimizes the code on multiple beta cycles. Still, if you trust your main tool for daily tasks, you can be careful: stores or difficult to read the screen can prevent productivity.
Q3: If it is difficult to read it, how can I reduce openness?
Settings> Exercise> Open the screen and text size, “then reduce openness.” This system darkened the frosty background in Ui. You can also add it to an accessibility snarness to mark it to a fast train. It softens the effect, but does not completely remove liquid glass.
Q4: Will performance improve by final release?
Probably yes, but it depends on how deep improvements happen. Apple can adapt to rendering pipelines, trimming unnecessary effects on older models, and animation can adjust time. But if Core OS is already heavy, the profits can be incremental. To put an eye on gradual beta notes and real tests will reveal progress.
Also Read
iOS 18.5 Update: Top Features, Speed Improvements, and Battery tips
Q5: What about battery life?
Real -time blur and refraction effects can increase the GPU work, the power. Beta sensors have noticed some drains after hours of use. Apple usually honors power management before public release. If you are planning to test beta, see battery trends in a few days and compare previous iOS versions.
Q6: What are the problems of known access?
Yes. Initial reports show that the contrast ratio falls under WCAG Minima on some screen, making it difficult to present the text or icon. Voiceover behavior may require checks under new scenes. Apple should reverse tweet, give a ornament per item, and a large -scale test with accessories before September.
Q7: When can developers and users test it?
Developer Beta is already out. Public beta usually lands in July. The final release is scheduled to be with the new iPhone in September. Developers can now use apps to adapt; Every day users should wait for public beta or leave until the problems are organized.
Q8: Should I install beta on the main iPhone?
If you depend on stability – no. Betas can have a UI glitter, crash or low battery life. Install better on a secondary device or wait until the games turn out to be smooth. If you are curious and technology, you must first back up and be ready to come back.
Q9: How can I send an answer to Apple?
Use the reaction app on your beta device. Clear Repro includes stages and screens showing lightness or performance problems. More specific (unit model, wallpaper is used, daytime, conditions), better reports.
Q10: Will all devices support liquid glass?
Apple usually expands the most important iOS updates for the model over the last 4-5 years. But older devices may not have full effects or can see a simplified version of openness to preserve performance. When published, check the official Apple compatibility list.
Q11: What if I don’t like a new shape – Apple recounting will change?
Apple hears beta feedback. If core problems remain, they can call extremely transparency back, make icon forms for twigs or add decorations. The former redesigns (eg iOS 7) felt rapidly, but improved. It is still time before public release. The rage of community (eg on the bell icon) can affect twics.
Q12: How do I prepare my app for liquid glass?
Download the UI template updated from Apple’s developer portal.
Test your app on different wallpapers or backgrounds to check text/icon contrast.
Customize color properties and ICography for transport.
Use Apple’s design guidelines for stains and safe areas.
Collect the user’s response through test flight.
Q13: Can liquid glass indicate in future AR interfaces?
Yes. Followed, layered with layered user interfaces what we expect in a decorated reality-ui element floating on a reality show. IOS 26 may be groundwork for future Apple AR/VR machine. But daily use should be practical.
Q14: How can I be updated on Fix?
Follow the developer release notes of reputable technical websites (eg Macro komors, 9to5mac, Tom Guide) and Apple. Track change for each beta. Party the developer forums for raids on your hands.
Q15: What is the line below?
Liquid glass is oily. This shows Apple’s technical skills, but increases legitimate concerns about readability, performance and purpose. Betas will tell how well the apple can polish it in time. If you can, send the answer and decide whether the new form gives value or interruption or not.