Apple's Liquid Glass looks bad, but everyone will still copy it
You know it, I know it, we all know it.
Whenever Apple unveils any new product, it usually gets copied and emulated to oblivion. We've seen it time and time again with the company's phones, tablets, laptops, and watches, but we are most commonly witnessing this in software, where the bar of entry is a bit easier to hop over. Now that Apple has unveiled iOS 26 and macOS 26 with its newest universal design language, called Liquid Glass, I am dreading that we are going to see it copied and emulated in just about any digital interface over the coming years.
Why? Well, because it's developed by Apple, and if there's one thing that we can be certain about Apple's rivals is that they all tend to eventually copy anything the company does.
Let me preface this by saying that currently we can't really judge Liquid Glass objectively, since it's still in beta and being actively changed with every new developer beta release. Until it is released officially this September, we can't objectively speculate about Apple's new design direction.
That said, my personal experience with the betas and the implementation of Liquid Glass on both the iPhone and the Mac has been mostly negative. The heaps of bugs aside, the Liquid Glass aesthetics feel off and out of place on either device I've used it so far.
Liquid Glass is an accessibility nightmare
At this point, I don't feel that Apple will be able to pull off this visual restyle and convince the wider public that it looks better than what the ecosystem has right now. It's a combination between my dislike for Apple's own implementation of the glass-like design and my shaken confidence that Cupertino is capable of shipping a coherent and complete product. Because that's what Liquid Glass is, you know. Apple's fancy bucket of paint aiming to distract you from the Apple Intelligence fiasco and the Siri assistant in particular. It makes sure we'll be talking about buttons and see-through window handles, and not about how Siri is still just a fancy way to set a timer that only works 6 or 7 out of 10 tries at best.
Read more: iOS 26 vs Android 16 vs One UI 7-visual comparison If you've been on this planet long enough, you definitely remember the early aughts, which were absolutely dominated by the Frutiger Aero and Windows Vista Aero Glass style language. Windows 7, which is arguably the best Windows version Microsoft has ever released (fine, Windows 10 is at least on par), also heavily leaned into the glass-like style, and it really clicked.
Don't know about you, but this Windows 7 screenshot fills me with a warm nostalgia
True, many of you remember that Windows Vista was received rather poorly back when it was released. The problem wasn't the aesthetics, but the outrageous at the time hardware requirements to run the beautiful Microsoft OS, which gave it a bad name and tarnished its public image.
But wait, we can go deeper.
In January 2000, at the turn of the millennium, Apple introduced the bold new and modern look for Mac OS X 10.0, called Aqua. This design language evolved over the years and was used until Mac OS X Tiger, but fell from grace with 2007's Leopard release.
Yep, a rather glass-like interface if you ask me, and it came nearly 25 years ago
It's a closed cycle of ideas, really, and this generation's Aqua is called Liquid Glass.
See that? Get used to this look because it's going to be everywhere
Not eager to point fingers here, but you can probably guess which manufacturers could be among the first to get inspired by the Liquid Glass aesthetics. I have a bunch I can name on the top of my head, and I have the feeling we're thinking about the same ones.
Initially, I bet we'd see the design language creep through the lock screen notifications shade, or the quick settings menu. Then, someone would emulate the glass-like, see-through menu navigation elements and buttons.
I hope I am not right and would be happy to be proven wrong in the years to come, but I think we'd quickly start seeing complete 1:1 homages to Liquid Glass on a smartphone or a tablet near us, further bringing brand identity into the gutter.
That could be a terrible move for Android, which recently also scored a fancy new redesign. Material 3 Expressive is different, though, as it's merely a continuation and evolution of the Material Design of old and not such a major rethinking of the overall aesthetics.
Another problem with Material 3 Expressive is that it will only be experienced to the fullest on Google's own Pixel phones and devices from some manufacturers that don't really deviate too much from stock Android (think Motorola, Sony, and some others). All other phone makers can decide just how much of Material 3 Expressive to adopt and to use in their interfaces, which definitely wouldn't help about Android's visual consistency across the board. Could be for the better, though: "Be together, not the same," anyone?
I've recently bemoaned how one of my favorite phone brands has been slowly losing its identity in an ever-ending quest to copy Apple, and I hope I wouldn't have to do that for another favorite. Secure your connection now at a bargain price!
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Phone Arena
an hour ago
- Phone Arena
Latest Verizon offer is so good that its legitimacy is being questioned
Verizon is pulling out all the stops to make customers happy. The company is not only revamping how customer issues are handled, but also spoiling them with merch, gift cards, and free lines. If you thought that was the extent of its generosity, think again. The company also has another offer for existing customers. Verizon appears to have a new targeted offer for loyal customers. The company is seemingly giving free iPhone 16 to customers with multiple lines. And even though the offer looks too good to be true, it's legit. —Cigator, Reddit user, June 2025 This appears to be a token of appreciation for loyal customers who have either been with the company for a long time or have many lines on their accounts. The specifics of the offer aren't known but on the surface, it looks like Verizon is letting some customers upgrade to an iPhone 16 for free. The offer is only for one line. The best part is that customers are neither required to trade in a device nor expected to change their plan. Standard terms and conditions do apply though. To learn more about the additional terms, you'll have to reach out to Verizon , but you'll likely have to pay for the iPhone 16 upfront and you'll be reimbursed through monthly credits. Taxes will probably be your responsibility. If your device is on its last legs or you just want a phone with modern specs, this offer is seriously tempting. Since the price is reimbursed over 36 months usually, the catch here is that you'll be stuck with Verizon for three years. Given the growing disenchantment with the Big Three, that might be a deal breaker, especially if you have lately found yourself thinking about a switching. However, if that's not the case and you are happy with the company, you should consider the offer. Verizon has signaled that it wants to serve customers better and while customers aren't necessarily as happy about the company using Google's AI models to improve customer care are handled as its leadership, most likely still appreciate the lengths it's going in order to keep them happy. Switch to Total 5G+ Unlimited 3-Month plan or Total 5G Unlimited and get a free iPhone. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Phone Arena
4 hours ago
- Phone Arena
The Pixel 10's 'downgraded' camera might actually be genius
Pixel 10 It's not about specs, it's about possibilities Receive the latest editorials Subscribe By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy Pixel 9a Pixel 10 A surprising new strength: macro photography Pixel 10 Recommended Stories Pixel 10 Pixel 10 camera changes – downgrade or smart tradeoff? Smart move — versatility matters more than top-tier sensor Not a fan — downgrading the main sensor is a dealbreaker I'll wait and see how the photos actually look Macro and zoom sound exciting — I'm curious! Doesn't matter — I usually go for the Pro anyway Smart move — versatility matters more than top-tier sensor 0% Not a fan — downgrading the main sensor is a dealbreaker 0% I'll wait and see how the photos actually look 0% Macro and zoom sound exciting — I'm curious! 0% Doesn't matter — I usually go for the Pro anyway 0% Versatility over quality Pixel 10 This shift from Google will only make the Pixel stronger Grab Surfshark VPN now at more than 50% off and with 3 extra months for free! Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer Even a couple of months before its release, the Pixel 10 is already shaping up to be one of the most hotly discussed and potentially controversial phones of Because Google is expected to add a third, zoom camera to its base flagship for the first time ever. At first this sounds amazing, but dig in deeper in the leaks, and you'd find out that the cost of that new camera is lower-grade image sensors for the remaining two fact, the main and ultra-wide cameras are said to be the same ones that the Pixel 9a is using… Not great news considering we are talking about a $300 price difference! That would be even worse if the rumors of a $100 price hike for I'm here to argue that we shouldn't be too quick with our start with the alleged 'downgrades.' Google is moving from the Samsung GNV and Sony IMX858 — both flagship-tier sensors — to the Samsung GN8 and Sony IMX712. These newer components are smaller and less capable in terms of dynamic range and low-light performance. But we've seen what Google can do with limited hardware which uses similar camera components, is a perfect example. Despite its budget-friendly positioning, it scored 134 in our PhoneArena Camera Score, with strong marks in photo quality and impressive zoom results thanks to Google's Super Res Zoom. It wasn't perfect, but it punched far above its Google applies the same computational magic to the(now with a new Tensor G5 chip) it could extract even more from these 'inferior' parts. And that brings us to the most interesting possibility of all: macro to early rumors, themight take a smart, hybrid approach to macro photography — automatically switching between its new telephoto and ultra-wide cameras based on how close you are to the subject. This could dramatically improve detail and accuracy in close-up shots of textures, small objects, or even tiny insects — an area where most smartphones still fall macro isn't a camera feature many people ask for. It's not exactly the best one for candid family photos or capturing memories on a trip. But personally, I've always had a soft spot for it. There's something special about discovering an entire hidden world through your the leaks are accurate, this hybrid system could give thea serious edge in close-up photography — maybe even better than what the iPhone Pro can is where the's new camera layout starts to make more sense. Personally, I've found telephoto cameras far more useful than ultra-wides. A telephoto camera is useful for portraits, framing landscapes so that there are no distractions, and even for figuring out text that's far away. Most ultra-wide cameras, especially on non-Pro phones, suffer from weaker image quality and distortion prioritizing zoom and letting the ultra-wide step in only when needed, Google might be giving users a smarter, more intentional camera setup. That doesn't mean ultra-wide is useless. But it does mean we're getting a phone better suited to real-world shooting scenarios.I like what Google is doing here — there's no need to go for the best and most expensive image sensor if you can offer the user more by keeping things moderate. I see this as Google focusing on making the camera more adaptable and useful for those who don't want to pay the extra buck for a Pro could be looking at the most creatively flexible base Pixel yet. I might not be the sharpest shooter, or the most advanced one — but maybe it will be the one that makes you want to go out and take more photos. And I am willing to bet money that it once again punches above its weight despite the 'downgrades.'
Phone Arena
5 hours ago
- Phone Arena
The Thin Phone Fallacy: Why Apple and Samsung are ignoring the only smartphone rule that matters
Why? As sleek as these devices look, they violate the cardinal rule of smartphone success: "don't give users bad battery life!" Poor battery life is the capital sin of the mobile world. We've seen this movie just a few years ago, with the 2020 iPhone 12 mini. The world loved its compact size, but nobody could live with the constant battery anxiety. Not surprisingly, Apple killed it after just two generations. Remember the not so distant days of 'wall huggers' just scanning every room they go into for a power outlet? Or that one friend who turned their bag in more than just a bag — a mobile charging station, tangled with cables and bulky power banks. Those were NOT happy times. And Apple's idea in 2025? An iPhone 17 Air with a 2,800 mAh battery. Well, the thin phone formula in 2025 might be different than the mini one, but leads to the same dead end: a sleek-looking phone with a battery that dies by... 5pm. The light weight is a nice trick—you might forget the phone is in your pocket. But the moment you start using it, there's still no escaping the reality of the big physical size. A thin phone with a big screen is still a big phone, and it won't win over anyone who misses truly compact devices. A New Path is Possible While Apple and Samsung try super slim phones, OnePlus tries super-battery phones (Image by OnePlus) At the same time, other parts of the industry are proving there's a better way. What if a compact phone could have... incredible battery life? This isn't a fantasy, even if it may sound like one. Brands like OnePlus are showing that you don't have to choose between a manageable size and a massive battery. Take the OnePlus 13s (aka OnePlus 13T), a 6.3-inch phone, same size as the compact iPhone 16 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro. However, thanks to clever engineering and different priorities, OnePlus includes a 5,850 mAh battery inside that phone. And this is not even one of those cutting-edge silicon-carbon batteries, it's just a regular cell (the Chinese-bound 13T model uses silicon-carbon and comes with an even higher 6,200mAh capacity). This is proof that a compact phone can have amazing battery. It is proof that settings different priorities can yield much better results for the end user. So why are Apple and Samsung ignoring this? Is it a genuine design obsession, or are they simply unwilling to build a smaller phone with a great battery because... it might threaten the fat profit margins of their "Pro Max" and 'Ultra' behemoths? I'll just leave this question here for you to ponder. The other weak spot: performance iFixit teardown shows Samsung was desparate to add at least some cooling to this design (Image by iFixit) I usually wouldn't care too much about performance (most flagship phones these days are powerful enough), but a recent iFixit teardown of the Galaxy S25 Edge reveals just how desperate Samsung was in its attempt to introduce at least some cooling to the 5.8 mm thin design of the phone. A CT scan of the S25 Edge reveals how the vapor chamber directs heat to... the cell itself. This is not uncommon, but it results in higher temperatures hitting the battery not just during charging, but also even with just average use. The result is your battery getting exposed to temperatures way above the recommended 30°C, and ultimately, not only worse battery life, but faster battery degradation. Talk about a double whammy. Power users and gamers will also notice this with heavy workloads, but that is not even my first concern here as even the regular user can feel it. An inevitable encounter with reality Whatever the reason, the market is brutally practical. No amount of marketing glamor or launch-day hype can save a phone that dies before dinner. Imagine you're on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, hiking for hours to reach the perfect sunset spot. You take out your phone and… the screen is black. All of that sleek design is totally worthless at that moment. Or even worse, imagine relying on that phone to navigate back home. A super-slim flagship with an inflated price and a mediocre battery isn't just a bad product; it's a fundamental misunderstanding of what people want from a device they depend on.
