Apple’s liquid glass redesign is dividing the internet

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Apple’s liquid glass redesign is dividing the internet

At WWDC 2025 at Apple’s annual developer conference, the company gave Apple Software: Liquid Glass a bold new look.

Apple calls this “the most extensive design update ever.” The liquid glass will arrive with the fall release of iOS 26 (see also: Macos Tahoe 26, Visionos 26, iPados 26, etc.), a free software update that offers a new set of features and updates to the iPhone. So far, most people have focused on how liquid glass changes their iPhones, but the new look will affect most Apple devices.

WWDC browsed the iPhone update on the Quick Clip, although the liquid glass is a clear title. Of course, many Apple users are still catching up with everything we learned at WWDC 2025. While iOS 26 and Liquid Glass didn’t officially land until the fall, the developer’s beta beta is now available, allowing early adopters to share screenshots and previews of Liquid Glass on social media. Apple also shared a preview of the new look and customization options.

This is what your home screen looks like with liquid glass.
Image source: Apple

The reaction so far has been extremely divided.

Liquid Glass is Apple’s biggest redesign in over 10 years, and while it maintains Apple’s signature aesthetic, it introduces new animation and personalization options. Translucent elements are key features of liquid glass, and now widgets and other elements on the screen now bend and refract light like glass. According to Apple’s press release, “This translucent material reflects and refracts the surroundings while dynamically transforming to help with greater focus on content, providing a new vitality in controls, navigation, app icons, widgets and more.”

Mixable light speed

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At first glance, many mash-and-match tech journalists think the new design looks beautiful, especially the new clear mode. In clear mode, all your widgets and icons become translucent, creating an open and extra space. Get the same effect by adding mirrors to the room. Users will also be able to customize the appearance of the liquid glass elements in the icon composer, a feature on iOS, macOS, and WatchOS.

Customization options for liquid glass in Macos Tahoe

Preview of liquid glass icon composer set.
Image source: Apple

But while liquid glass was advocated among early adopters, it also attracted some demanding critics who said the new design language created a chaotic conflict between levels that influence readability.

In particular, critics focus on one aspect of the iPhone’s liquid glass display: the appearance of the control center. This is a swipe down window that contains quick access to settings and utilities such as Bluetooth, calculator and flashlight, and screen brightness. In clear mode, the design is undeniably awkward. (Remember that these types of videos and images can be fake, so stick a grain of salt on social media like this.)

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remember: This is the developer’s beta. The final appearance of liquid glass will almost certainly change before its fall release. In fact, identifying such errors is the entire purpose of Beta.

But don’t expect nuances of social media conversations. Some users say liquid glass will allow Steve Jobs to roll in the grave, while others likewise determine liquid glass is the natural successor to Apple’s design vision.

So, are you clear on the team? We collected some of the best responses to X, where liquid glass is an important topic in the debate.