iOS 26’s Liquid Glass: What people like and what they don’t

Apple iOS 26

Apple’s iOS 26 has been available for only two days, yet its new Liquid Glass design has already sparked widespread debate. While Apple billed it as a bold reimagining of the iPhone interface, early feedback suggests that the change is proving more controversial than expected.

The most common criticism centres around performance and readability. Many users report that animations feel slow and make older iPhones sluggish. Others say the constantly shifting colours, shapes and shading are distracting rather than useful. Descriptions on forums include comparisons to a “Barbie phone” with flashy features that drain battery life.

Further frustrations include the number of taps now required for basic actions, cartoony bubbles and icons, poor contrast, and inconsistent application of highlights and textures. Some app icons appear blurry, while the blend of glass-like elements with flat components has been called messy and disjointed. Notifications are also harder to read, and several users argue that the subtle visual effects are not worth the system overhead they demand.

Why some users like it
Despite the negativity, not everyone is unimpressed. On MacRumors forums, some early adopters who tried the beta versions say that Liquid Glass feels modern, clean and even fun once you adjust to it. Several users claim that the interface makes the iPhone feel faster, with brighter animations and smoother transitions.

Positive comments also highlight the new Lock Screen keypad, described as bubble-like and satisfying to use. Supporters say that compared to the flat look of iOS 18, which some found dull, iOS 26 feels more engaging and playful. Technically minded users also praise the light refraction and diffusion effects, describing them as a showcase of Apple’s design innovation that pays tribute to the company’s early skeuomorphic interface style.

The backlash has drawn comparisons with iOS 7, Apple’s first major design overhaul that abandoned skeuomorphism for a flat look. At the time, the change was widely criticised for being too drastic, but Apple stuck with it and gradually refined the design across later versions. While the fundamentals remained, performance improvements and visual tweaks made it more polished, and users eventually adjusted.

The same trajectory may await Liquid Glass. Apple is unlikely to reverse course, but ongoing refinements will smooth out issues and optimise performance. If history is any guide, Liquid Glass could define the visual direction of iOS for the next decade, despite its rocky start.