Designers Offer Mixed Reviews on Apple's Liquid Glass Upgrade, Finding It Both Attractive and Challenging
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Apple's radically redesigned iOS 26 interface, code-named Liquid Glass, introduces a cutting-edge visual language that mimics the beauty of glass, creating a distinct and elaborate look inspired by the Vision Pro headset. This innovative glassy aesthetic will eventually grace all Apple devices, marking the company's first major interface overhaul in a decade.
Design aficionados worldwide were jubilant but had reservations about whether the new translucent design elements, which soften app icons, buttons, menus, and pop-ups, might compromise readability. While the futuristic, refracted look does indeed confer a striking and modern aesthetic, some fear it could also induce distractions, especially for users with visual impairments.
After the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 keynote, opinions among designers vary. Some, like product designer Allan Yu of Output, find the transparency level a bit too high, making on-screen content difficult to read. Others, like Josh Puckett of Iteration, remain hopeful that Apple will rectify the readability issues over time by refining the blurring and adjusting the backgrounds.
Concerns about readability aren't the only issue, though. Users may be confronted with unintended distractions due to the intricate 3D effects and animations. The dispersion and refraction of layers beneath apps could even divert attention from the UI as it changes layouts. However, acclaimed designer Adam Whitcroft of Owner.com is convinced that the remarkable effort Apple put into replicating real-world light effects could potentially lead to a visually overwhelming interface if not thoughtfully executed.
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Despite these reservations, Apple aims to revolutionize the digital experience by making it feel more organic and immersive. An indisputable question arises: will Liquid Glass strike the perfect balance between visual appeal, readability, and usability, or will it fall short in delivering an intuitive and engaging user interface?
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Overall:
Striking Visuals Meet Modern Usability
Apple's Liquid Glass design delivers a visually appealing and immersive experience combined with an innovative, glass-like interface. To assess its impact on readability, balancing aesthetics with usability will be crucial. The challenges that arise from presenting dynamic visual elements and complex animations may potentially disrupt readability and user experience if not properly addressed.
Balancing Act
To ensure that Liquid Glass offers a supportive and intuitive interface, Apple should consider the following factors:
- Contextual Layouts: Design the interface so that the complex animations and visual elements complement the context they are presented in, rather than detracting from the user's main tasks.
- Simplicity: Minimize visual overload by using dynamic elements carefully, ensuring that they augment rather than complicate the user experience.
- Accessibility: Prioritize accessibility for users with visual impairments by providing options to adjust transparency levels, backgrounds, and contrast.
Liquid Glass's future success will depend on Apple's ability to thoughtfully implement this transformative design while addressing concerns about readability and distractions without compromising the immersive, glass-like aesthetic that Apple plans to introduce across its product lineup.
- Apple's Liquid Glass design, aimed at revolutionizing the digital experience, could potentially create some difficulties in balancing striking visuals with modern usability, especially in maintaining readability.
- With the new iOS 26 interface's complex animations and visual elements, Apple should focus on contextual layouts that support the user's main tasks, ensuring a supportive and intuitive interface.
- To cater to a wider user base, especially those with visual impairments, accessibility should be prioritized, providing options to adjust transparency levels, backgrounds, and contrast.
- In executing Liquid Glass design, Apple needs to thoughtfully address concerns about readability and distractions, ensuring the immersive, glass-like aesthetic is not compromised.
