Apple introduced Liquid Glass, its biggest software redesign in over a decade. The update spans iOS 26, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. It will launch this fall with the iPhone 17.
Liquid Glass is a new universal design system. It uses transparent layers, rounded corners, and glass-like motion. The interface shifts as users scroll, swipe, or tap. It creates a fluid, dynamic experience across all devices.
Apple took cues from VisionOS and modern hardware. App icons now feature multiple glass layers. Elements like the iOS Dock and Lock Screen have shimmering edges.
The Lock Screen clock adjusts to the photo subjects, blending with backgrounds. Liquid Glass blends past and present. Alan Dye called it Apple’s “broadest design update, ever.”
Craig Federighi said Apple Silicon made this redesign possible. Real-time rendering and specular highlights respond to movement. Controls now match the curves of iPhones and iPads, creating better harmony.
The new macOS version is called Tahoe 26. It features a fully transparent menu bar. Users can choose from four themes: light, dark, tinted, or clear. The desktop now looks cleaner and more modern.
Developer betas are live starting June 10, 2025. Public betas will launch in the coming weeks. The full rollout is scheduled for this fall, coinciding with the release of iPhone 17.
Apple is celebrating the debut of Liquid Glass, but early responses reveal a more complicated picture.
Though visually striking with its refractive layers and translucence, usability concerns are mounting. Notifications are reportedly hard to read, and the new Control Center overlay has been described as visually cluttered and unintuitive. Since this is still the developer beta, Apple may address these issues before public release.
More critically, Apple’s AI lag continues to overshadow its visual upgrades. Analysts argue that Apple’s persistence with modest Siri upgrades, instead of bold AI reinvention, is not enough. It could push the company down a path of declining relevance like Nokia.
Liquid Glass is bold, immersive, and built for the future. The redesign may support a new ‘Glasswing’ iPhone in 2027. It’s rumored to feature curved glass edges and fewer bezels. Apple liquid glass design shows the company’s commitment to a seamless user experience.
Also Read:Apple WWDC 2025 Highlights: Key Announcements and Big Shifts