iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design Draws Criticism: iPhone Users Report Lag, Blur, and Significant Usability Problems

The launch of iOS 26, featuring the innovative Liquid Glass design, has sparked one of the most significant discussions surrounding Apple’s interface updates in recent years. This fresh design utilizes translucent layers, dynamic gradients, and fluid animations, all intended to create a futuristic aesthetic. However, reactions from users have varied widely, with many expressing concerns over usability and performance. Notably, reports indicate that certain animations seem sluggish, particularly on older iPhone models, leading to a perception that the platform has become less responsive overall.

Criticism of Liquid Glass Design: Readability, Performance, and User Control

Amidst a mix of opinions, a common grievance has surfaced regarding the impact of Liquid Glass on readability. This issue emerged shortly after Apple introduced the first beta of iOS 26 to developers back in June. Although the company has made some adjustments to background blurring, many users still struggle with the new interface. The combination of blurred icons, shifting colors, and low-contrast elements can make it challenging to read notifications or effectively use the keyboard, particularly because translucency is integral to the design ethos.

Compounding frustration, users have noted that fundamental tasks now demand more taps than in previous iterations, which slows down processes that were previously efficient. Additionally, many customers lament the absence of an option to completely disable the Liquid Glass effect. While some reductions have been made to the effect, these do not fully address user concerns. Feedback has been shared widely across platforms like Apple Support Communities and Reddit, reflecting a sizable discontent among the user base.

It appears unlikely that Apple will introduce a toggle option for users to deactivate Liquid Glass entirely, as this design principle seems to be intended across all of its products, including future devices like the forthcoming iPhone Air. Long-time iPhone users may recall similar criticism when Apple launched iOS 7, which shifted from a three-dimensional view to a more flat design. Users voiced concerns over confusing visuals and narrow fonts, yet over time, this approach became the cornerstone of Apple’s modern user interface.

Current critics now speculate whether the Liquid Glass design will also follow a pattern of gradual acceptance. It is possible that future updates to iOS may introduce nuanced changes to mitigate some negative aspects of the translucent appearance, but for the moment, Apple seems committed to maintaining this aesthetic.

In my view, Apple’s bold decision to embrace the Liquid Glass design reflects a strategic gamble to harmonize an eye-catching visual style with enhanced functionality, aiming to differentiate itself from Android’s more minimalist interface. However, this unique approach may also risk alienating some users in the pursuit of visual appeal over clarity and performance. Do you anticipate that Apple might return to a flat design soon? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments.

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