The newest model of Apple iOS has been out for greater than a month, however loads of of us are most likely nonetheless undecided as as to whether or to not set up the improve.
iOS 26 options the most important design overhaul to Apple’s cellular OS in a decade, bringing the new Liquid Glass aesthetic to iPhones. However within the weeks since iOS 26 launched, customers have shared as many opinions about it as there are apps within the App Retailer. Its new translucent visible type, person complaints about battery drain, and different quirks have led some customers to conclude that they need not obtain it simply but. In spite of everything, when you obtain iOS 26 and swap to Liquid Glass, there is no going again.
Nonetheless, there are positives to iOS 26, as properly. Listed below are only a handful of explanation why you need to (or should not) obtain iOS 26 in your iPhone.
Professional: A number of the new options are nice
Each new model of iOS comes with new characteristic drops, in fact. Some years deliver little or no, whereas different years deliver quite a bit. There are at the least a few new options in iOS 26 that put this yr’s replace within the latter class.
For starters, it is acquired Dwell Translation in Messages, FaceTime, and telephone calls. Two individuals who converse completely different languages with the ability to mutually perceive one another over the telephone might be one of the best utility but of Apple Intelligence. Certain, it could be a bit of awkward having to attend to take heed to a translation of what was simply mentioned to you earlier than responding, however not as awkward as not understanding what was mentioned in any respect.
That is genuinely sort of transformative, however there are different standouts, as properly. Having the ability to make polls and set customized backgrounds in group chats in Messages appear small, however they might inject loads of character into areas the place you commune together with your family members and buddies. That is not nothing, and you may solely do it on iOS 26.
Professional: You would possibly like Liquid Glass
Credit score: Apple
Liquid Glass did not simply come to the iPhone. Because of macOS Tahoe 26, iPadOS 26, and different OS updates, it is also altering the look of MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watches. Mashable’s tech editor gave iPadOS 26 a constructive evaluation, thanks partially to the brand new Liquid Glass design. Many customers just like the translucent glass impact.
Mashable Gentle Pace
To cite our evaluation:
Per Apple, Liquid Glass “combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity solely Apple can obtain.” What does that imply? Core parts of the person interface are actually translucent and expressive, so when objects overlap or work together, new liquid-like animations trigger a clear gentle impact, as in the event you’re trying via glass or water…I have never skilled any lag with the refined animations that happen when completely different widgets or icons meet on the edges. Liquid Glass additionally makes the best interactions much more passable. Within the up to date digital camera app, switching between Photograph, Video, Pano, and different settings causes the textual content to bend and refract.
Liquid Glass additionally comes with new customized lock screens, which let you add a contact of personalization to your iPhone.
Con: You won’t like Liquid Glass
A customized lock display in iOS 26.
Credit score: Apple
Once more, essentially the most noteworthy change Apple made with iOS 26 is Liquid Glass, and the brand new design language permeates the complete UI in your iPhone after you put in the replace. It makes every part look, properly, like liquid glass, with a number of transparency results and dynamic animations that make every part move very properly — when it really works.
There’s only one downside: Not everybody likes Liquid Glass. When you have some management over the way it appears to be like, the added results and transparency do not work for everybody. You can also’t actually flip it off. One of many newest iOS 26 beta builds has a brand new “tinted glass” mode that permits you to exert a bit of extra management over how Liquid Glass appears to be like, but it surely nonetheless falls wanting simply permitting customers to retain the outdated UI, and it is only a beta characteristic. I do not personally thoughts Liquid Glass (though I did tweak it a bit to make rather less glassy), however in the event you completely hate it, you would possibly need to maintain again on putting in iOS 26.
Professional: Essential app redesigns
Why wasn’t it all the time like this?!
Credit score: Screenshot: Apple
Except for new options and a brand new design language, iOS 26 additionally launched at the least one vitally essential app redesign. In fact, I am speaking in regards to the Images app.
On earlier variations of iOS, Images had develop into a jumbled mess with a number of confusingly laid out tabs. It was more durable than it ought to be to only discover your library or your Favorites folder, for instance, at the least till you bought used to it. On iOS 26, Images has been streamlined so there are simply two tabs, Library and Collections, on the backside of the display. One in every of them reveals you every part in your telephone, whereas the opposite reveals you every part you have put into folders.
It is so easy that it makes you surprise why it wasn’t all the time this fashion.
Con: Your battery would possibly endure
Final however actually not least, there have been quite a few person complaints that iOS 26 is affecting — and even outright ruining — the battery life on their iPhones. To be completely clear, this has not affected everybody or perhaps a majority of iOS 26 customers, however that does not imply it is not actual.
There are some potential explanations for this. Apple itself says that it is a momentary setback as your telephone will get used to the brand new replace (my phrases, not theirs). Some have claimed that updating all of your apps and energy biking the machine helps. Low Energy Mode (and the brand new Adaptive Energy setting) might alleviate this, at the least, doubtlessly. It is also attainable that none of these will work, at which level you would possibly have to make an appointment with Apple help.
I personally do not have something towards iOS 26, having used it because it launched, however there are good causes to not improve.
