The iOS 26 review conversation got drowned out by social media's hunger for another iOS 7-style controversy. But the real story isn't Liquid Glass—it's Apple's ongoing Apple Intelligence delays. The new design brought smoky glass popovers, reflective buttons, and warped interactions that actually work well on Apple Silicon.

Customization options proved surprisingly popular, with transparent icons and Lock Screen clock drawing unexpected praise. The unified Phone app layout eliminates spam from recents and integrates Contact Posters effectively. Call Screening uses Siri to filter unwanted calls. However, beyond these tweaks, major customization remains limited—Focus Mode caps at 10, and wallpaper management still requires too many steps.

Here's the contrarian take: Apple's embarrassingly slow AI start might actually be its biggest tech victory in decades. By letting competitors pave the track and paint the finish line, Apple now enters an AI market where it can potentially deliver something more refined, secure, and ethical. The Liquid Glass design is here to stay—Apple's made that clear.

Apple

iOS 26