Apple Users Slam iOS 26 Update Over ‘Ugliest’ Liquid Glass Design Controversy

Apple’s iOS 26 “Liquid Glass” Design Sparks Backlash

Apple unveiled its highly anticipated iOS 26 update at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this week, introducing a bold “Liquid Glass Design” overhaul. The redesign brings translucent, refractive effects to app icons, lock screens, and menus, aiming to create a cohesive look across iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and Apple TV. However, the polarizing aesthetic has drawn swift criticism from users.

Apple’s Liquid Glass Design introduces translucent, glass-like UI elements.

Mixed Reactions to the Overhaul
Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering, praised the update as “gorgeous,” but social media erupted with complaints. Users called the design “ugly,” “distracting,” and even “painful to look at.” One X user wrote, “Liquid Glass is the ugliest thing Apple’s ever done,” while another criticized its lack of accessibility: “The low contrast is unreadable for visually impaired users.”

Users complained that icons distorted backgrounds, reducing readability (Image: X user post).

Key Features and User Frustrations
The Liquid Glass theme replaces flat icons with dynamic, translucent layers that reflect and refract in real time. However, many users reported issues with text clarity and background distortion. “The notifications are an eyesore—it looks like interns designed this,” one comment read. Others lamented the departure from Apple’s signature minimalist style, with some joking, “Steve Jobs would’ve fired the whole team.”

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced iOS 26 at WWDC 2025 (Image: Getty).

Other WWDC Updates
Alongside Liquid Glass, Apple introduced:

• Unified software naming: All 2025 OS versions are labeled “26.”
• Live translation: For Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls.
• Enhanced Apple Intelligence: On-screen context searches via ChatGPT, Google, and Etsy.
• New Games app: Central hub for Apple Arcade titles.

Availability and Road Ahead
iOS 26 is currently in developer beta, with a public release expected in September. Despite the backlash, Apple has historically iterated on initial feedback. However, the company faces pressure to address accessibility concerns before launch.

For now, the Liquid Glass debate underscores the challenges of balancing innovation with usability—a test even for tech giants like Apple.

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