Apple's WWDC 2025 brought significant changes to iOS with the release of iOS 26, marking a dramatic departure from previous design philosophies and introducing substantial updates to Apple Music. The new operating system has generated polarizing reactions from users, particularly regarding its bold new visual direction.
Revolutionary Liquid Glass Design Language Divides Users
The most striking change in iOS 26 is the introduction of the Liquid Glass aesthetic, which permeates every aspect of the user interface. From lock screen elements like flashlight and camera buttons to home screen icons, Apple has applied a comprehensive glass reflection effect throughout the system. Users can transform all icons into liquid glass mode, with third-party applications automatically adapting to the new design language. The visual effects extend to real-time interactions, where notification center glass appears to magnify and stretch underlying elements, and Apple Music album covers simulate being obscured by glass when sliding over tab bars.
However, this ambitious design overhaul has created significant controversy among users. The reception has been notably polarized, with some praising the innovative aesthetic while others criticize it for poor readability and visual confusion. Many users report difficulty distinguishing between applications when using liquid glass icons, as they tend to look similar. The design also presents readability challenges in control center when used against busy backgrounds, making it harder to navigate compared to iOS 18.
User Reception Analysis
- Positive Feedback: Innovative design, enhanced Apple Music features, practical AI integration
- Negative Feedback: Poor icon readability, visual confusion, performance concerns
- Controversy: Design changes reached trending topics due to user complaints
Performance Concerns Emerge Despite Premium Hardware
Early testing reveals concerning performance implications for the new design language. Even the latest iPhone 16 Pro with A18 Pro processor experiences noticeable lag and stuttering after extended use with iOS 26. This raises questions about how older devices will handle the resource-intensive visual effects, though Apple may address this by reducing animation complexity on legacy hardware.
Performance Requirements
- Minimum Device: iPhone with iOS 26 support
- Performance Issues: Reported lag on iPhone 16 Pro with A18 Pro processor
- Older Devices: Expected animation reduction for legacy hardware compatibility
Apple Music Receives Comprehensive Feature Upgrade
iOS 26 brings substantial improvements to Apple Music, addressing long-standing user requests. The service now includes lyrics translation functionality, displaying translations below time-synced lyrics for foreign language songs. Additionally, pronunciation guides help users learn correct pronunciation through transliteration from original scripts to Roman characters.
The new AutoMix feature acts as an AI-powered DJ, analyzing audio characteristics and applying professional techniques like time stretching and beat matching for seamless playlist transitions. Users can now pin favorite playlists to the top of the Library tab for quick access, and animated cover art extends to the lock screen for enhanced visual appeal.
Enhanced Communication and Utility Features
iOS 26 introduces Screen Incoming Calls, a feature that automatically screens unknown callers using an AI assistant. The system asks callers to identify themselves and state their purpose before allowing the phone to ring, providing users with text summaries to decide whether to answer. This functionality works across platforms, requiring only iOS 26 on the receiving device.
The camera interface has been simplified with a minimalist approach, showing only video and photo options by default while hiding other modes until accessed through gestures. Lock screen customization now supports extended time displays and spatial scene wallpapers that create 3D visual effects from 2D images.
System-Wide Improvements and AI Integration
Battery management receives attention with new charging time estimates and an Adaptive Power mode that automatically adjusts performance based on usage patterns. The system now displays remaining time to reach 80% and 100% charge levels while implementing intelligent power conservation measures.
Apple's AI integration remains modest, focusing on practical applications like emoji creation through text descriptions and enhanced screenshot functionality with visual intelligence. The system-level translation API allows third-party applications to implement real-time translation features.
iOS 26 Key Features Overview
- Design: Liquid Glass aesthetic with real-time glass effects
- Apple Music: Lyrics translation, pronunciation guides, AutoMix DJ feature, playlist pinning, animated lock screen covers
- Communication: Screen Incoming Calls with AI assistant
- Camera: Minimalist interface with gesture-based mode switching
- Battery: Charging time estimates and Adaptive Power mode
- AI: System-level translation API, visual intelligence for screenshots
- CarPlay: Updated design language, custom widgets, CarPlay Ultra for luxury vehicles
CarPlay Evolution and Accessibility
CarPlay receives updates aligned with the new design language and introduces customizable widgets. While the standard CarPlay maintains its reputation for stability and simplicity, the premium CarPlay Ultra version offers deep vehicle integration, though availability remains limited to luxury automotive brands like Aston Martin due to most manufacturers' preference for proprietary systems.
Mixed Reception Reflects Broader Design Philosophy Shift
The dramatic visual overhaul in iOS 26 represents Apple's boldest design decision in recent years, but user reception suggests the company may have pushed aesthetic boundaries too far for practical usability. While the technical implementation demonstrates Apple's attention to detail, the polarized response indicates that striking visual innovation doesn't always translate to improved user experience. As the system progresses through beta versions, Apple will likely need to balance its ambitious design vision with user feedback to create a more universally acceptable final product.