Apple rolled out iOS 26 in September, alongside the iPhone 17, promising a major redesign, AI-powered tools, and tighter app controls. The update is available for iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and later models, and can be downloaded by going to Settings, General, Software Update. A month after release, early users are split: is iOS 26 a glimpse of the future, or just glossy frustration?
The biggest visual overhaul in years, Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” interface replaces flat icons with reflective layers and translucent gradients. On first glance, it’s stunning. Polished, futuristic and undeniably Apple. But beneath the shine, usability suffers.
Text frequently disappears into bright or reflective backgrounds, app labels blur under the glassy effect and simple widgets such as Weather or Notes become hard to read, especially in sunlight. Accessibility advocates have already raised concerns, noting that contrast and legibility have regressed. For a company long praised for user-friendly design, this is a surprising stumble.
Several core apps have stumbled in the transition. Users note the main issue is in the Calendar app. Other issues involve slow widget refresh rates, Spotlight search delays and occasional app freezing in Messages and Photos.
While a bug-fixing update was released 14 days later, users report that these fixes feel reactive rather than preventative, suggesting a rushed rollout.
Performance on newer hardware, like the iPhone 17, remains smooth, with animations fluid and app switching quick. However, older devices such as the iPhone 12 tell a different story.
Users have reported noticeable lag, battery drain of up to 20 per cent faster per day, and increased heat during routine use, such as browsing or navigation. This has reignited debates about Apple’s history of nudging users toward upgrades through software demands.
The headlining feature of iOS 26, Apple Intelligence, was meant to redefine the iPhone experience with smarter Siri interactions, predictive text, and automated organization. But for now, much of that remains theoretical.
Genmoji, Apple’s AI emoji generator first introduced with iOS 18, continues to disappoint. The custom emojis often resemble low-quality clip art rather than personalized icons.
That said, Apple’s privacy commitment remains strong. On-device processing and stricter app permissions limit data sharing and tracking, ensuring user information stays private, an area where Apple still leads the industry. Privacy, however, cannot compensate for underdeveloped AI features that feel half-finished.
Where iOS 26 truly shines is in security and app transparency. Users now receive clearer permission prompts for microphone and camera access, and third-party apps must disclose when they collect biometric data. Enhanced App Tracking Protection reduces background data harvesting, welcome news for privacy-conscious users.
While these updates operate quietly in the background, they represent Apple at its best: thoughtful, protective, and user-first. It’s just unfortunate that this solid foundation is buried beneath more visible flaws.
iOS 26 is a paradox. It dazzles at first but disappoints under real use. It’s sleek, powerful and privacy-forward, yet often feels unfinished and unstable. Apple wanted this to be a milestone release. Instead it feels like an elaborate beta test shipped to millions.
Apple, once the undisputed trendsetter in smart tech, is starting to chase what it used to create. Users won’t abandon ship overnight, but cracks in the hull are showing. If Apple keeps trading substance for spectacle, it risks trading leadership for irrelevance. Many iPhone owners are choosing to wait before updating, and others, already on iOS 26, wish they had done the same.