Apple just dropped something big. The tech giant’s latest Apple iOS 26 update hit iPhones everywhere this week, and let’s just say people have some serious opinions about it.
You know how sometimes your favorite app gets a makeover and suddenly everything feels different? Well, imagine that happening to your entire phone. That’s exactly what millions of iPhone users woke up to when they installed the new update.
The star of the show? Something called “Liquid Glass.”
What’s This Liquid Glass Thing All About?
Apple iOS 26 introduces an all-new Liquid Glass design with translucent menus, buttons, and icons that gives your iPhone a smooth, translucent look across the Lock Screen, Home Screen, Control Centre, and apps. Think of it like looking through frosted glass – you can see what’s behind it, but it’s all soft and dreamy.
Your phone’s interface now has this see-through quality that makes everything look like it’s floating. The time on your lock screen changes based on your wallpaper, and app icons have this new glowing effect that some people love and others… well, not so much.
Apple is using this new Liquid Glass material throughout the operating system, and it has transformed the look of the iPhone’s software, allowing light and color to shine through.
The Big Redesign That’s Got Everyone Divided
Here’s where things get interesting. iOS 26 brings the biggest design change since iOS 7 in 2013. That’s over a decade of pretty similar-looking iPhones, so you can imagine why this feels like such a shock.
But change isn’t always smooth sailing. iOS 26’s redesigned Dark Mode is receiving criticism from iPhone users who say the new look is uncomfortable, distracting, and in some cases even dizzying.
One user on social media wrote, “I feel like I need glasses now – everything’s so translucent I can barely read my notifications.”
Another complained, “The glowing icons in dark mode make me feel seasick. Why fix something that wasn’t broken?”
More Than Just Pretty Looks
Apple iOS 26 isn’t just about making your phone look different. The update packs some genuinely useful stuff too.
Updates to the Phone and Messages apps help users stay connected while eliminating distractions like unwanted calls. iOS 26 also introduces new features in CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, and Wallet, as well as Apple Games, a brand-new app that gives players a single destination for all their games.
The phone app got some love with features like call screening and voicemail summaries. Basically, your iPhone can now handle those annoying spam calls for you and give you the gist of voicemails without having to listen to your aunt’s five-minute rambling message.
Apple Music looks cleaner, Maps has better directions, and there’s even a new app called Apple Games that puts all your gaming stuff in one place.
The Not-So-Great Parts
Here’s where we need to talk about the elephant in the room. There have been plenty of complaints from Apple users, with users on X and Reddit reporting devices overheating and battery health decline just hours after installation.
Some iPhone owners are already having buyer’s remorse about updating. Battery life taking a hit? Check. Phones getting hot for no reason? Double check.
Apple’s response? “These problems are temporary and a natural part of adjusting to significant updates.” The company asserts that once background tasks are through, battery life and performance will normalize.
The “Red Clock” Mystery
One weird thing that’s got people scratching their heads is something users are calling the “red clock issue.” Without getting too technical, some people’s clocks are showing up in red when they shouldn’t be. It’s not breaking anyone’s phone, but it’s definitely annoying.
Apple’s Quick Fixes
The good news? Apple has increased contrast and reduced transparency in areas such as Notifications, Apple Music’s navigation bar, and other system apps, in response to complaints that the original aesthetic was “too flashy” and difficult to read.
So if you were one of those people squinting at your screen trying to read notifications, Apple heard you and dialed things back a bit in newer versions.
Should You Update to Apple iOS 26?
This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it?
If you’re someone who loves trying new things and doesn’t mind a few hiccups, go for it. The Apple iOS 26 features are pretty cool once you get used to them, and most of the bugs should work themselves out in a week or two.
But if you’re the type of person who likes their phone to work exactly the same way every day, maybe wait a bit. Let other people be the guinea pigs while Apple works out the kinks.
The Bottom Line
Apple iOS 26 is one of those updates that’ll either make you love your phone more or have you questioning that “update” decision.The Liquid Glass design is definitely eye-catching – the question is whether it’s eye-catching in a good way or a “my eyes hurt” way.
What’s clear is that Apple isn’t playing it safe anymore. They’re willing to shake things up, even if it means dealing with some unhappy customers in the short term.
The real test will be whether people warm up to Apple iOS 26 over the next few months, or if this becomes one of those updates everyone wishes they could undo. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off for the folks in Cupertino.
