Apple’s iOS updates have always been a mix of excitement and controversy, but iOS 26 takes the cake with its headline-grabbing feature: Liquid Glass. Released in September 2025, this new design language promises a sleek, immersive experience by turning your iPhone’s interface into a glassy, transparent wonderland. App icons glow with subtle effects, widgets blend seamlessly with your wallpaper, and animations add depth through parallax and color-bending visuals. But is it revolutionary or just a shiny distraction? Let’s break it down.
What Exactly Is Liquid Glass?
At its core, Liquid Glass is Apple’s evolution of iOS aesthetics, building on years of flat design and introducing a more dynamic, see-through look. It applies glowing highlights to the corners of app icons, creating a sense of depth and making elements appear as if they’re floating on glass. Users can customize icons to be “clear” or transparent, letting the wallpaper peek through for a personalized vibe. This extends to widgets, notifications, and even the Control Center, where colors warp around edges for a premium feel.
The feature draws inspiration from devices like the Vision Pro, where UI elements are meant to “get out of the way” and let content shine. For instance, websites and apps feel more integrated, almost like native experiences without extra developer work. It’s available on all compatible iPhones, but it shines (literally) on models with 120Hz ProMotion displays, where animations feel buttery smooth.
Third-party apps are jumping on board too. Popular ones like Widgetsmith, Overcast, and Flighty have already adopted the design, with over 30 apps featuring Liquid Glass elements shortly after launch. Developers can integrate it easily, and tools like Lock Launcher have rolled out updates for full compatibility, including new layouts and mis-touch prevention.
The Hype: Why People Are Talking About It
Liquid Glass has generated buzz for good reason. Early hands-on reviews praise its visual polish—animations are “satisfying” and make the OS feel fresh. One user described it as “beautiful,” noting how it elevates the lock screen with charge time displays and amped-up transitions. Performance holds up well post-indexing, with battery life comparable to previous versions on day-to-day use.
For customization fans, it’s a game-changer. The “stunning clear look” lets you theme your home screen like never before, informed by your wallpaper’s colors. Even skeptics admit it grows on you: “The more I’m using iOS 26, the less I’m starting to hate it.” On higher-end devices like the iPhone 17 series, it feels faster and more refined. Android switchers have even expressed envy, wishing for similar effects on their devices.
In videos and demos, the parallax effects and glowing corners create a premium, futuristic vibe that’s hard to ignore. It’s not just eye candy; it aligns with Apple’s philosophy of making the screen feel infinite, blending hardware and software seamlessly.
The Drawbacks: Not All That Glitters Is Gold
Despite the praise, Liquid Glass isn’t without flaws. Readability is a major pain point—text in notifications and apps can become hard to decipher due to the transparency and blur effects. Users report icons looking “crooked” or “blurry,” thanks to the glowing corners and parallax. One reviewer called it a “readability nightmare” that’s plagued the OS since beta.
Battery drain is another common complaint, exacerbated by the new animations and effects. The Control Center feels “cheap and rushed,” with clunky interactions that turn single taps into multi-step processes. Bugs persist, from UI overlaps to apps not rendering correctly, leading some to label iOS 26 a “low-quality release.”
Critics argue it’s more gimmick than innovation, especially on non-Pro devices where animations stutter. Beta versions saw Apple “nerf” the feature, dialing back effects to the point where it feels like an overcorrection. International users echo this, calling it “ugly” or comparing it unfavorably to Android’s rounded designs.
Fortunately, it’s customizable. Head to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size to reduce transparency or increase contrast, toning down the effects without losing the core OS upgrades. Some even suggest reverting to a “classic” look entirely.
User Verdict: Divided Opinions
Social media is split. On X (formerly Twitter), enthusiasts rave about its polish, while detractors vent about practicality. One post summed it up: “Liquid Glass is hot garbage! Buggy. Slow.” Another countered: “It’s an W… UI is supposed to get out of the way.” Reddit threads highlight design complaints, with users noting it makes icons look off-kilter.
Tech sites like TechRadar warn it “ruins” features like app icons by making them see-through, potentially confusing users. MacRumors reports on the crooked icon issue, attributing it to the glowing effects. Overall, adoption is mixed—some apps like GoodNotes are still catching up.
Is It Worth the Hype?
Liquid Glass is a bold step forward for iOS, offering stunning visuals and deeper customization that could redefine how we interact with our phones. If you’re into aesthetics and have a newer iPhone, it’s worth trying—the hype is real for those who prioritize style over substance.
But for everyday users, the cons might outweigh the pros. Readability issues, battery hits, and bugs make it feel unfinished, especially if you’re upgrading from a stable iOS 25. Apple has a history of refining features post-launch, so future updates could address these gripes. Ultimately, it depends on your tolerance for change: Dive in if you love experimentation, or tweak/disable it if practicality wins out. iOS 26’s star feature shines bright, but it’s not flawless glass just yet.