Apple's latest iOS 26 update, featuring the much-hyped Liquid Glass design language, has become one of the most controversial software releases in recent memory. While Apple promised a translucent material that feels present and reflects its surroundings, users across forums and social media are reporting significant problems with performance, battery life, and usability that go beyond mere aesthetic preferences.
Performance and Battery Life Concerns Dominate Discussions
The most immediate complaints from iOS 26 users center around performance degradation and battery drain, particularly affecting older devices. iPhone 13 Mini users report their devices chugging power with batteries dying before the end of the workday, a dramatic change from previous usage patterns. Even iPhone 16 Pro Max owners note increased lagginess, suggesting the issues aren't limited to older hardware. The Apple Watch Series 10 appears particularly affected, with users reporting big frame rate drops every time there is a Liquid Glass animation and significantly worse battery performance.
Yesterday, for the first time since I bought the phone, it died on me before 18:00 with regular usage. I used to charge everyday when I go to bed with around 15-25% left, now I can't even finish the work day.
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| Users are struggling with new design elements that hinder readability and performance on iOS 26 |
Accessibility and Readability Problems Emerge
Beyond performance issues, the Liquid Glass design introduces serious accessibility concerns. The translucent elements and blurred backgrounds make text difficult to read against busy content, creating problems for users with even mild vision issues. Many users report immediately turning on Reduce Transparency and Increase Contrast in accessibility settings to make their devices usable again. The design choices seem particularly punitive for older users or those with visual impairments, forcing them into accessibility workarounds for what should be a standard user experience.
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| The new translucent interface in iOS 26 raises readability issues, particularly for users with vision impairments |
Navigation Changes Frustrate Longtime Users
Safari has become a particular pain point, with users struggling to adapt to the redesigned interface. The tab management system now requires additional taps, with the new tab button buried in menus. The floating URL bar and reduced chrome boundaries create confusion about what's browser interface versus webpage content. These navigation changes feel arbitrary to many long-time Apple users who had grown accustomed to the previous interface conventions that were very well thought through, based on evidence, and with clear principles.
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| The redesigns in navigation apps illustrate the challenge long-time users face with the new interface changes in iOS 26 |
Mixed Reactions and Adaptation Strategies
While the majority of feedback is negative, some users report adapting to the changes or even enjoying the new aesthetic. A minority find the design delightful and appreciate certain UX improvements in apps like Calendar and Mail. However, even these users often acknowledge the performance trade-offs. The community has developed workarounds, from accessibility settings adjustments to discovering hidden gestures, but many question why the better options aren't default settings given the widespread issues.
The Bigger Picture: Design Over Function?
The iOS 26 release raises questions about Apple's design priorities. Users report UI elements feeling jumbled and inefficient, with wasted space and smaller tap targets that reduce usability. The extensive animations, while visually striking, serve little functional purpose and contribute to the performance problems. Many long-time Apple enthusiasts express disappointment that the company seems to be prioritizing visual flair over the usability principles that once defined their products.
The community response to iOS 26 serves as a reminder that software design must balance innovation with practical usability. As one commenter noted, this update marks one of the rare cases where even typically positive Apple users are expressing significant dissatisfaction, suggesting that Apple may need to reconsider how it balances aesthetic innovation with functional reliability in future updates.
Reference: Liquid Glass Is Cracked, and Usability Suffers In iOS 18