Apple’s Liquid Glass Design Melts Away in Latest iOS 26 Beta 3

When Apple first unveiled iOS 26, one of its standout features wasn’t a new app or a groundbreaking function. It was a fresh visual identity: the “Liquid Glass” design language. This innovative look promised fluid transparencies and a glass-like effect across the user interface, aiming for a truly modern and immersive feel on eligible iPhones. However, it seems this ambitious design is slowly fading, with the latest iOS 26 beta 3 update pushing it further into the background.

The dream of a completely fluid, transparent interface quickly ran into a practical snag after the iOS 26 beta 1 landed in users’ hands. Many quickly voiced complaints about readability issues. Elements, especially in the Control Center, often overlapped without enough contrast. This made text hard to read and UI components difficult to distinguish. It was a clear case of aesthetics clashing with usability.

Apple quietly giving up on Liquid Glass, iOS 26 Beta 3 proves it

Apple began to address this in the iOS 26 beta 2 update. The “Liquid Glass” effect was toned down in areas like the Control Center, with backgrounds and buttons gaining more contrast. While this significantly improved visibility, it also noticeably shifted the look away from the original idea. Many observed it now resembled a “frosted glass” effect, not unlike what’s seen in Samsung’s One UI.

Now, with the release of the latest iOS 26 beta 3 today, the changes are even more pronounced. Apple has reportedly increased the contrast further in the Control Center and other problematic UI areas. The result? While readability is certainly better across the board, the original “Liquid Glass” effect has almost vanished. Now users found a much heavier frosted appearance.

These adjustments are sparking a lively debate among Apple fans. Some appreciate the improved clarity, prioritizing function over pure form. Others lament the loss of the unique “Liquid Glass” aesthetic that was initially a major selling point for iOS 26. The big question now is whether the “Liquid Glass” concept will eventually disappear entirely by the time the final version of iOS 26 rolls out. We will have to wait until the stable rollout—or the next beta update—to confirm it.