Liquid Glass returns to iOS 26: toned down, but with its original vision intact
Liquid Glass is, in my eyes, a fantastic UI design. It isn't just some transparent menu bars, there is genuine thought and effort behind it. The way the backgrounds reflect inside the UI elements is mesmerizing. There were definitely some problems with Liquid Glass at launch, but I think it deserves a chance to really prove itself.
Liquid Glass returns with iOS 26 Beta 4. | Image credit — 9to5Mac
With iOS 26 , the iPhone is seeing a major UI redesign, like it first did with iOS 7 all the way back in 2013. This design is likely building up to the new 20th anniversary iPhone Pro model that is reportedly under development. That Pro model will allegedly feature a display with no cutouts or other distractions, and is also said to have curved edges, so the screen covers the entire front of the phone.
Apple seems to be going all in on its new design, as a recent report claims that the iPhone 17 Pro will have a new color option inspired by Liquid Glass. With all that in mind, and iOS 26 Beta 4 in front of us, it now seems a bit silly to have thought that Apple would completely abandon Liquid Glass at the drop of a hat.
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