Apple Refines Liquid Glass Design in iOS 26 Beta 3: Key Changes Explained

Apple has made significant design changes to the ‘Liquid Glass’ aesthetic in iOS 26 during the beta testing phase, especially between Beta 2 and Beta 3. While Beta 2 offered a more translucent, glass-like effect, Beta 3 has introduced more opaque navigation bars across various apps. The most noticeable changes appear in apps like Apple Music, Safari, and the App Store. In Apple Music, the bottom navigation bar has become frosted, reducing transparency and diminishing the colorful background effect. Safari’s URL bar now appears less translucent, with a higher threshold for dark mode transitions. The App Store has seen the biggest shift, with its navigation bar becoming almost entirely opaque. Similar changes affect other apps, like Podcasts, Calendar, and Contacts, where transparency has been toned down. Interestingly, Dark Mode retains more of its original translucency compared to Light Mode. The updates aim to improve readability and reduce visual distractions, though some users feel that the aesthetic has been overhauled too aggressively. Apple’s intention seems to strike a balance between stylish design and functionality, but the response has been mixed among users, with some preferring the earlier, more transparent look.