iOS 26 Review: Liquid Glass, Call Screening & That New AI Edge

Ah, Apple—just when you thought your iPhone was polished enough, they hit you with a full makeover. Enter iOS 26, the update that slaps a new “Liquid Glass” aesthetic over everything and adds a bunch of smarts under the hood. But does it actually make life better, or is it a glossy distraction? Let’s dive in.

The Look: Liquid Glass — Classy or Chaotic?

The visual overhaul is the first thing you'll notice. iOS 26 introduces a translucence-heavy interface Apple calls Liquid Glass, rounded, frosted UI elements and soft animations. Icons, toolbars, widgets—all are bathed in this glassy effect. It’s like your phone got dressed in a glass suit.

Positive side: it’s fresh, modern, and super sleek. Many reviewers praise how animations feel more alive and how interface transitions feel smoother.

But—and there is a but—some people find it hard to read. Especially in dark mode, Liquid Glass elements can clash, feel washed out, or even cause mild eye strain or vertigo. Some icons get a “blurry filter” on them that makes them look smudged. If you’re into accessibility, you’ll likely have to tweak contrast or transparency settings.

What's New (and Useful) Under the Hood

Design is fun, but functionality is king. iOS 26 brings several new features that are worth your attention:

1. Call Screening

The Phone app now intercepts unknown calls and asks callers to state their name and reason via an on-device assistant. You see a transcript and decide whether to answer. It’s a smart armor against spam calls.

2. Adaptive Power

To help with battery life, iOS 26 can dial back certain processes, reduce brightness, or auto-enable Low Power Mode when needed.

3. Visual Intelligence & Apple Intelligence Improvements

Screenshots become more powerful—tap to summarize, translate, or ask questions.

4. Lock Screen Tweaks & Widgets

Widgets can move to the bottom, the time display can be dynamic, and spatial scenes (3D-style depth effects) animate your background photos.

5. Hidden Niceties

You can now copy just part of a message (rather than the whole thing), prevent audio auto-switch between devices, and enjoy disappearing navigation bars in apps like Safari for more content space.

The Parts That Still Need Work (Or At Least Your Patience)

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows:

• Some older iPhones show performance hiccups or battery drain complaints post-update.
• The Liquid Glass design, while beautiful, sometimes interferes with legibility—especially with certain wallpapers or in darker themes.
• Apple Intelligence and Siri still feel a bit undercooked compared to Google or Amazon’s voice/AI offerings.

Verdict: Worth Updating Now?

If your iPhone is compatible and you like being an early tech explorer, go for it—especially if features like Call Screening or Visual Intelligence appeal to you strongly.

If you’re using an older model or prefer stable, rock-solid performance, you might want to wait for further bug fixes or tweaks. The aesthetics may be a bit intense for daily use right now for some people.

If iOS 26 has you itching for an upgrade — or you just love keeping up with the next big thing in tech — head over to Mobile Culture.You’ll find the latest tech news, smartphone updates, and wallet-friendly gadgets that prove innovation doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag.