BREAKINGON

Apple's Liquid Glass Design Faces Backlash in iOS 26 Beta 3

7/8/2025
Apple's recent updates in the iOS 26 beta 3 have users divided over the changes to the Liquid Glass design. Discover the tweaks that have led to increased opacity across popular apps and what it means for your experience.
Apple's Liquid Glass Design Faces Backlash in iOS 26 Beta 3
Explore the controversial changes to Liquid Glass in iOS 26 beta 3 as users express their frustration over the new opaque navigation bars. Are you a fan or a critic?

Apple's Liquid Glass Refinements in iOS 26 Beta 3

Apple has been diligently refining its Liquid Glass aesthetic during the beta testing phase of iOS 26. With the release of both beta two and beta three, users have witnessed significant changes. While the updates in the second beta received minimal backlash, the design adjustments in the third beta have stirred frustration among users who feel that Apple is stripping away too much of the beloved Liquid Glass look.

Key Changes in iOS 26 Beta 3

To provide context, the latest updates have made navigation bars across numerous apps noticeably more opaque. For instance, in iOS 26 beta 3, Apple Music's bottom navigation bar now features a frosted glass effect that is especially evident against colorful backgrounds. In beta 2, the navigation bar's translucency allowed for more background color visibility, a quality that has been markedly reduced in beta 3.

App-Specific Changes

Apple Music

In Apple Music, the bottom navigation bar's transition to a more opaque design diminishes the translucency that was prevalent in beta 2. This change is particularly striking when scrolling over vibrant background colors, as the frosted glass effect dominates the visual experience.

Safari

The Safari browser has also undergone a transformation. The opacity of the URL bar has increased, resulting in less background color visibility. Depending on the background color of the website and the Tab View design in use, users may notice varying degrees of translucency. The Compact View, which was previously quite translucent, showcases the most notable changes with a heavier opacity.

App Store

The navigation bar in the App Store has become almost entirely opaque. This significant change has made a noticeable impact on user experience, especially in light mode.

Podcasts

Similar to Apple Music, the Podcasts app has nearly eliminated translucency in its navigation bar. This is especially apparent when using colorful backgrounds, enhancing the overall visual clarity.

Apple TV

In the Apple TV app, the changes are subtler due to its darker background. The navigation bar has shifted to a darker glass color, but transparency levels remain relatively unchanged.

Photos

For the Photos app, the navigation bar has also been darkened, though transparency levels have not significantly altered.

Calendar

The navigation buttons in the Calendar app have seen an increase in opacity, applicable in both Light and Dark Modes.

Dark Mode vs. Light Mode

Interestingly, Dark Mode has retained more translucency compared to Light Mode. Users with Dark Mode enabled may notice less of a difference, as the increased readability of white text on dark backgrounds has led Apple to adjust opaqueness less aggressively.

Color Dependency and Aesthetic Impact

The visual differences between beta 2 and beta 3 can vary significantly based on the background color. With white backgrounds, the shift to a more frosted appearance may be less discernible, while changes are more apparent with lighter colors. Conversely, with darker content, navigation bars tend to transition to their Dark Mode design, which appears more translucent.

Notifications, Lock Screen, and Home Screen Adjustments

On the Lock Screen, the time display is slightly more opaque than in previous versions. Notifications may also exhibit a darker background with certain colors, although this isn't universally noticeable. The Home Screen and Control Center have remained largely unchanged, while the search bar in the App Library now lacks blurred edges when scrolling, enhancing visibility.

Additional App Changes in iOS 26 Beta 3

Many of Apple's built-in apps have also seen modifications to their buttons and navigation bars. Here are some notable examples:

Weather: Darker buttons with no translucency.Camera: No noticeable changes.FaceTime: No noticeable changes.Messages: Reduced translucency in the search and compose bars.Maps: Increased translucency in turn-by-turn directions.Mail: Buttons exhibit less translucency.Notes: Almost no translucency remains in buttons and navigation bars.Reminders: Reduced translucency in the toolbar.Clock: No changes.Health: Slightly less transparent navigation and search bars.Wallet: Buttons now show less transparency.Settings: Increased opacity in the search bar.Home: Overall less opacity in navigation bars.Books: Decreased translucency in navigation menus and search.Fitness: Minor changes due to the darker background.Contacts: Reduced translucency for search.Files: Less translucency in navigation bars and search.Calculator: More opaque history interface.

What Are Your Thoughts?

What do you think about the changes introduced in iOS 26 beta 3? Are you hoping for the return of the Liquid Glass design, or do you prefer the enhanced opacity? Share your opinions in the comments below.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26

Breakingon.com is an independent news platform that delivers the latest news, trends, and analyses quickly and objectively. We gather and present the most important developments from around the world and local sources with accuracy and reliability. Our goal is to provide our readers with factual, unbiased, and comprehensive news content, making information easily accessible. Stay informed with us!
© Copyright 2025 BreakingOn. All rights reserved.