Apple has unveiled Liquid Glass, a sweeping new design language set to dynamically transform the user experience across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and all its platforms. Promising greater focus and vitality for content, controls, and widgets, Liquid Glass represents Apple’s first unified design ethos in years. However, early reports suggest this ambitious visual overhaul may have rushed out the gate.
As reported by Mark Wilson for Fast Company, Liquid Glass is less a total reinvention and more of a “luxe reskin” of iOS. The philosophy is one of careful evolution, not revolution—a sensibility that avoids “moving fast and breaking things” in favor of iterative change.
The core of the Liquid Glass experience lies in its “liquid” elements: stretchable, reshapable buttons and fluid new animations that break free from the static interfaces of the past. This dynamic approach aims to make interactions feel more intuitive and engaging.
Despite its promising ideas, Liquid Glass is facing significant criticism at launch. Rumor suggests the feature had a tight six-month development cycle, and experts point to inconsistent implementation. The major concerns are:
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Increased Cognitive Load: The new design is described as an “invisible tax on your brain,” making navigation and comprehension more mentally taxing.
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Accessibility Issues: A prevalent low-contrast design often blurs the line between background and foreground, creating serious legibility problems, particularly for older adults.
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The “Glass” Problem: The very clarity that gives Liquid Glass its name is also its irony. The translucent, blurred effects can muddle information instead of clarifying it, defeating the core purpose of a UI.
My Take: While Liquid Glass shows immense promise with its beautiful animations, its current legibility issues are undeniable. It has the hallmarks of a six-month rush job, potentially serving as a “shiny object” to distract from delays in other innovation areas.
However, these are likely solvable problems. By the time Apple launches its revamped AI platform (a Siri-replacement is reportedly imminent), Liquid Glass will likely be more refined and polished. The foundation is strong; it just needs the time and polish Apple is known for. The key takeaway? Liquid Glass is a glimpse into the future of Apple’s design, but that future is still under construction.
