The new glassy look of the iPhone has been adjusted with the release of the third developer beta of iOS 26. Users had complained that the update made parts of the interface harder to read. Apple introduced its Liquid Glass design language at WWDC 2025, inspired by real-world glass properties. However, early versions of iOS 26 needed improvement in usability, accessibility, and legibility.
Apple addressed issues with transparency in the Control Center, reducing visual clutter. The latest update dials back the glassy look in key areas like Notifications and navigation within Apple’s apps. For example, Apple Music’s navigation bar now has a solid white background. Notifications are also less translucent, improving contrast.
While these changes make features easier to read, some users feel Apple has shifted too far back towards a “frosted glass” aesthetic. It’s important to remember that these are developer betas, and Apple will continue to tweak the Liquid Glass look before the public release in the fall. Users hope for more customization options to choose their preferred level of glassiness.
