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While Liquid Glass visually recalls Windows Vista, its execution is vastly more modern and integrated.
Unlike Vista, iOS 26’s design flourishes don’t tax system performance.
Apple’s version adds usability and immersion, not just flashiness.
The Liquid Glass style in Apple's iOS 26 is a striking new feature, boasting a glossy, see-through aesthetic that's both futuristic and hauntingly familiar. While fans rave about its beauty and seamless transitions, others draw comparisons to Microsoft's Windows Vista Aero Glass, a translucent UI that debuted in 2007. This raises a question: is Apple's design a bold new direction or a nod to an existing idea? Is it an innovative take on an old concept, or simply the natural evolution of current UI trends?
What is Liquid Glass in iOS 26?
Liquid Glass is Apple’s newest design theme, debuting in iOS 26 as a core part of the system’s visual overhaul. People praised it for being ambitious, but they also said it hurt performance.
Blur: Both use layers that are see-through and blur the background to add depth.
Glossy Finishes: The screens on iOS 26 look like the glassy, glossy surfaces on Windows Vista.
Focus on Eye-Candy: Some critics say that iOS 26 might put looks over functionality, which is something that was said about Vista.
Apple's approach, on the other hand, is better. Unlike Vista, which can be slow and buggy, Liquid Glass is smooth and fast thanks to years of development and the power of Apple silicon. Apple claims it enhances user immersion and clarity, but many tech veterans immediately recognized a familiar aesthetic.
Windows Vista, launched nearly two decades ago, was known for its Aero Glass interface, which featured semi-transparent windows, glowing borders, and soft animations. People praised it for being ambitious, but they also said it affects performance.
Blur: Both use layers that are see-through and blur the background to add depth.
Glossy Finishes: The screens on iOS 26 look like the glassy, glossy surfaces on Windows Vista.
Focus on Eye-Candy: Some critics say that iOS 26 might put looks over functionality, which is something that was said about Vista.
Apple's approach, on the other hand, is clearly better. Unlike Vista, which can be slow and buggy, Liquid Glass is smooth and fast thanks to years of development and the power of Apple silicon.
Also read: Apple to Reveal Liquid Glass UI in Big WWDC 2025 Announcement?
Design fads come and go in cycles. With the right setting and technology, something that was once thought to be too much can become cool again.
Headroom for Performance: Since iPhones now have powerful hardware, fancy effects don't slow down the phone.
Expectations of the User: Visual flow and response are now more expected and not just a choice.
Differentiation: Apple may be giving the OS some personality again after years of keeping it simple.
Apple is not just copying either, it is reinterpreting. iOS 26 has real-time colour mixing and spatial awareness, which is something Aero in Vista could only dream of.
The iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design is undeniably bold, maybe even nostalgic for those who remember Vista’s glassy dreams. But it is not a regression, it is a reimagination. Apple has taken a concept that once faltered under the weight of weak hardware and brought it into a new era of speed and sophistication.
So, is it too similar to Windows Vista? Maybe in looks, but not in substance. iOS 26’s Liquid Glass design is not just about looking good, it is about feeling right. And in the world of modern UI, that makes all the difference.
Also read: Apple Smart Glasses: Release Date, Features and Everything We Know
