Apple Event 2025: Liquid Glass meltdown? iOS 26 redesign explodes in memes and backlash — Here’s why

Apple’s unveiling of its all-new Liquid Glass design for iOS 26 at the WWDC 2025 event has triggered a wave of online chatter, with Twitter (X) emerging as the epicentre of global reactions. Billed as the most dramatic visual shift since iOS 7, the update marks a departure from Apple’s long-standing minimalist aesthetic—but not all users seem impressed.

The redesign, which brings a glass-like transparency and a sense of spatial depth to the iOS interface, was introduced with much fanfare. However, the (Twitterverse) Xverse—often the first to deliver unfiltered verdicts—offered a mixed, and at times humorous, response.

Major Overhaul Raises Eyebrows

Apple claims the Apple Liquid Glass design aims to blend elegance with functionality, bringing fluid visuals across native apps and throughout the operating system. The design incorporates translucent layers that shift with movement, aiming to create a more immersive, intuitive user experience. Drawing inspiration from the recently launched Apple Vision Pro and paving the way for the upcoming 20th-anniversary iPhone, iOS 26 is being positioned as a visual leap forward.


While Apple executives described the update as one designed to “bring joy and delight,” many users appeared more amused than impressed.

Memes and Sarcasm: Users Respond

Twitter/X users quickly responded with a barrage of memes and tongue-in-cheek commentary. Battery health concerns and performance issues were among the top gripes. One user wrote,

“My 85% battery health iPhone 13 trying to run Liquid Glass on iOS 26.”


Another popular tweet mocked Apple’s focus, saying,

“Market: ‘we want AI.’ Apple: best we can do is liquid glass display.”


Comments also took aim at usability, with one user stating,

“The new liquid glass looks abysmal and is a perfect example of focusing on form over functionality. Like, what are we doing here?”

These sentiments were echoed by others who felt the redesign placed too much emphasis on aesthetics at the expense of readability and practical performance.

A Split Verdict: Innovation or Overreach?

Despite the criticism, a section of the Apple faithful praised the bold visual shift, calling it “a breath of fresh air” and a welcome evolution from the flat, clinical interface that had defined iOS for over a decade. Some drew comparisons to the skeuomorphic-to-flat transition seen in iOS 7, noting that early skepticism back then eventually gave way to widespread acceptance.

Design experts have noted that Apple Liquid Glass design may signal a move toward more tactile, human-centric digital environments as hardware capabilities continue to grow. However, critics argue that such changes should enhance rather than complicate the user experience.

What’s next?

With the public beta of iOS 26 expected in July and a full rollout planned for later this year, it remains to be seen whether Apple will refine aspects of the design based on user feedback—or if it will stick to its vision, betting that initial resistance will fade with time.

Until then, Twitter remains a real-time forum for users grappling with the implications of translucent icons and shimmering menu bars—one witty post at a time.

FAQs

What is the Liquid Glass design in iOS 26?

Liquid Glass is Apple’s new design language for iOS 26, featuring translucent, glass-like interface elements that shift dynamically based on ambient light and device movement. It brings depth, spatial layering, and fluid visuals to the operating system.

When was the Liquid Glass design announced?

Apple unveiled the Liquid Glass design at its WWDC 2025 event, positioning it as the most significant iOS visual redesign since iOS 7.