Apple has dialled back the transparency of navigation bars, buttons, and tabs in its latest iOS 26 developer beta, making the new design less glass-like and easier to read. The change comes after many users complained that the transparent elements were too hard on the eyes.
The company previously reduced the level of transparency in Liquid Glass after user feedback. However, the latest beta takes it a step further, with some users describing the new look as “cheaper” and feeling like a reversal of Apple’s original vision.
The change affects the way the design interacts with different apps, as some users have found that the transparency level can vary depending on the app being used. It remains to be seen how much this will impact the final release of iOS 26 in September.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/700066/apple-liquid-glass-frosted-ios-26-developer-beta