At this year’s WWDC, Apple unveiled its new unified design language for iOS 26, called Liquid Glass. Since the update went live, it has sparked a heated debate online — some praise the fresh new look, while others mock it relentlessly. Here’s my take on it.
What’s the Big Deal about Liquid Glass?
Liquid Glass introduces a translucent, glass-like overhaul across the entire operating system. You’ll notice it in the Control Center, tab bars, menu toggles, and buttons. Each element now looks like a shiny, polished glass surface, reflecting and refracting light from the background. This is a dramatic departure not just from previous iOS versions but from Apple’s design language across all its products.
The new material is dynamic and fluid — it stretches, squeezes, and expands as you interact with the interface. The effect resembles droplets of water moving on top of your apps and home screen. Apple credits visionOS’s depth and dimension as the inspiration behind this look.
My Initial Reaction and How It Changed
When I first watched the WWDC presentation, I was thrilled — like a kid waiting for Christmas. But when I updated to iOS 26 and saw Liquid Glass in action, I was taken aback. It felt too different, almost alien compared to the iOS I was accustomed to. My first instinct was regret.
I was ready to join the chorus of critics on X, ranting about why Apple had messed up. I even drafted a post. But then I decided to take a step back, give myself some time, and explore the subtle nuances Apple highlighted.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought.
I actually like the glass motif and the consistent design language. The icons, which once felt pale, now appear bubbly and more vibrant on the home screen. Menus and tab bars no longer hog the bottom of the screen — they float, filling the entire screen with rounded edges that feel fresh and modern.
The interface feels interconnected, with pages expanding fluidly from your selection rather than popping up abruptly. As you scroll, tabs and menus stretch and collapse smoothly. Tapping on an item creates a droplet effect that refracts light and distorts icons, bouncing around as if it were real water. It’s a clever and immersive detail.
More Than Just Glass: Subtle, Overlooked Changes
Despite all the buzz about the glass effect, Apple has made other small but impactful tweaks. For example, most apps now feature a search bar at the bottom, making menus and settings more accessible, especially on large screens. This builds on Apple’s reputation for simplicity rather than abandoning it.
Seeing Through the Cracks of Liquid Glass
I’m sure you’re wondering why I haven’t yet mentioned the controversial Control Center — the part everyone is complaining about — or the inconsistent spacing in Settings, or the new, overly simplified Camera app. Well, here are my thoughts.
I have mixed feelings about the Camera app’s redesign. On one hand, I dislike its dumbed-down, minimalist look. On the other hand, I understand Apple’s reasoning: it’s more one-handed friendly, with swipe-up menus that cater to casual users who want a quick, point-and-shoot experience.
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