It’s been a month since Apple revealed its new Liquid Glass interface design at WWDC, and the changes have been rolling in with each Developer Beta. Now on Developer Beta 3, there’s a noticeable shift in the visual style.
Initially, I wasn’t keen on Liquid Glass. The abrupt redesign felt jarring. But Beta 3 has made things a lot better. The biggest improvement is the reduction in overly transparent effects. This helps the new design feel more in tune with older iOS styles, enhancing accessibility while making everything look cleaner.
The navigation bars in stock apps are now more opaque, which boosts legibility. For example, the Music app has benefited greatly from a less distracting bottom navigation bar. Instead of the old see-through design, the new look is subtler and easier on the eyes.
However, reactions to these changes vary. Some fans miss the glitz of the earlier versions, arguing that this toned-down approach loses some of the initial excitement. I think this shift was needed to create a smoother user experience.
Performance-wise, however, there are still issues. My iPhone 13 Pro Max has struggled with the new software, particularly in the first beta, which had severe performance issues. The latest beta feels better, but optimization is still necessary. While my device feels slower and heats up more, the newer iPhone models run the update much more smoothly.
One of the standout features of iOS 26 is Visual Intelligence. This function allows you to take a screenshot and get context or similar images effortlessly. It’s a great tool for anyone, especially those frustrated by missing features on iPhone compared to Android.
Despite its potential, the beta isn’t flawless. There are a fair number of bugs, including odd behavior in the Photos app, making it difficult to manage video playback. Quick actions sometimes lead to crashing apps—a common issue with beta software.
Overall, I see potential in iOS 26 Developer Beta 3. The design changes are a step forward, but there’s still work to be done on optimization and bug fixes. For now, it’s best to avoid using this beta on your main phone. Opt for a spare device if you’re eager to try out the new Liquid Glass design.
For more insights on iOS updates and features, you can explore detailed analysis on MacRumors and Apple’s support pages.
