Apple’s iOS 26 introduces the Liquid Glass design, a bold visual overhaul inspired by visionOS, bringing translucent, dynamic interfaces to iPhones. With adaptive app icons, a revamped Lock Screen, and smarter features like Call Screening, it enhances usability. Despite battery concerns, the update, available for iPhone 11 and newer, sets the stage for Apple’s future devices.
iOS 26 Liquid Glass: A Game-Changer for iPhone Users
Apple unveiled iOS 26 at WWDC 2025, introducing its most significant design overhaul since iOS 7. The centerpiece, dubbed Liquid Glass, is a translucent, adaptive interface inspired by visionOS, Apple’s spatial computing platform. This design language extends across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26, creating a unified aesthetic for Apple’s ecosystem. The update, available in developer beta and set for a public rollout in September 2025, is compatible with iPhone 11 and newer models.
The Liquid Glass interface transforms the iPhone’s visual and functional experience. App icons, widgets, and navigation elements feature a translucent, glass-like appearance that dynamically refracts surrounding colors and light. This creates a vibrant, immersive feel, with controls adapting to content—such as camera app buttons shifting hues based on the scene being photographed. The Lock Screen now boasts a dynamic time display that resizes based on notifications and wallpapers, with spatial scenes adding subtle 3D effects when the device is tilted.
Beyond aesthetics, iOS 26 enhances functionality. The Phone app introduces Call Screening, where the iPhone answers unknown calls, identifies the caller’s name and purpose, and lets users decide whether to respond. The Messages app and Safari also see upgrades, with tab bars that shrink during scrolling to maximize screen space. CarPlay adopts the Liquid Glass design, integrating widgets and real-time notifications for a seamless in-car experience.
Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI suite, powers smarter features like task suggestions in the Reminders app and real-time lyric translations in Apple Music. Accessibility is improved with features like Accessibility Reader and Braille Access for connected displays. The new Apple Games app centralizes gaming, offering personalized recommendations and access to over 200 Apple Arcade titles.
However, the Liquid Glass design has sparked mixed reactions. Early beta testers reported readability issues in the Control Center due to excessive transparency, prompting Apple to tweak the design in iOS 26 Beta 2, adding more contrast and blur options. Some users, like those on X, have raised concerns about battery drain and overheating, with one claiming the iPhone 16 Pro Max on iOS 26 beta consumed 13 times more battery than iOS 18.5 due to the dynamic animations. Apple is likely to refine these aspects before the public release.
The Liquid Glass philosophy feels futuristic, potentially hinting at Apple’s vision for devices like the rumored 2027 “Glasswing” iPhone with curved glass construction. By aligning software design with future hardware, Apple aims to create a cohesive ecosystem where transitioning between iPhone, iPad, and Mac feels seamless. Developers can leverage updated APIs to integrate Liquid Glass into third-party apps, ensuring consistency across the platform.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from recent news reports, official Apple announcements at WWDC 2025, and user feedback from platforms like X. Sources include Engadget, MacRumors, 9to5Mac, The Times of India, and TechCrunch. Information is accurate as of July 7, 2025, but may evolve with future beta updates or official releases. Always verify compatibility and performance before updating devices.