Users report readability issues, lag on older iPhones, and frequent freezes requiring restarts.
Critics call the design “cartoony” and accuse it of draining battery without adding value.
Supporters praise the fresh animations, dynamic effects, and a break from the flat iOS look.
It has only been a few days since Apple introduced its iOS 26 update for the eligible iPhones, and the new update’s Liquid Glass design is already drawing a lot of criticism from users. While some users are appreciating the new animations, fresh look, many users on online forums and Reddit threads, and social media discussions suggest that criticism currently outweighs the praise.
SurveyA large portion of complaints revolve around usability. Users complain that the shifting colours and floating icons make the interface difficult to read, that animations are sluggish on older devices, and that the overall aesthetic is too “cartoony.” Others have reported inconsistencies in design cues, blurry app icons, and excessive taps for basic actions. Several argue that the visual flourishes drain battery life while providing no meaningful functionality. Some users have also reported stability issues, claiming that their iPhone screens frequently freeze, forcing them to restart every 10 minutes.
On the other hand, Apple fans are praising the iOS 26 update and Liquid Glass design, describing it as a modern, playful shift that makes iPhones more engaging to use. Many fans described the animations as fun, the notifications as more satisfying, and the design as a welcome change from the dull, flat look of previous iOS versions. Some users have praised Apple’s technical execution, particularly the light refraction and dynamic effects.
This is not the first time Apple has faced criticism over a software update. Apple’s most recent major design change, iOS 7, also received widespread criticism before becoming the foundation of iOS for the next decade. Analysts believe Apple will not backtrack on liquid glass; instead, it will opt for refinements in future updates.
While Apple has yet to acknowledge some of these issues, we believe that an upcoming OTA update will address the majority of them. And there’s a good chance that iOS 18.1 will be released soon.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
