The latest version of Apple iOS has been available for over a month, but many people are probably still undecided whether or not to install the upgrade.
iOS 26 features the biggest design overhaul of Apple’s mobile operating system in a decade, bringing the new Liquid Glass aesthetic to iPhones. But in the weeks since iOS 26 launched, users have shared as many opinions about it as there are apps in the App Store. Its new translucent visual style, user complaints about battery drain, and other quirks have led some users to conclude that they don’t need to download it yet. After all, once you download iOS 26 and upgrade to Liquid Glass, there’s no going back.
However, iOS 26 also has some positives. Here are some reasons why you should (or shouldn’t) download iOS 26 on your iPhone.
Why do some cosmic orange iPhones turn pink?
Pro: Some of the new features are great
Each new version of iOS of course comes with new features. Some years bring very little, while other years bring a lot. There are at least a few new features in iOS 26 that put this year’s update in the latter category.
For starters, it offers live translation in Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls. Two people speaking different languages, able to understand each other over the phone is probably Apple Intelligence’s best application to date. Sure, it can be a little awkward to have to wait to listen to a translation of what was just said to you before responding, but not as awkward as not understanding what was said at all.
It’s definitely a kind of transformation, but there are other notable points as well. Being able to take polls and set custom backgrounds in group chats in Messages seems minimal, but it could inject a lot of personality into the spaces where you commune with loved ones and friends. This is no small thing, and you can only do it on iOS 26.
Pro: You May Like Liquid Glass
Credit: Apple
Liquid Glass hasn’t just arrived on the iPhone. Thanks to macOS Tahoe 26, iPadOS 26 and other operating system updates, the appearance of MacBooks, iPads and Apple Watches is also changed. Mashable’s tech editor gave iPadOS 26 a positive review, thanks in part to the new Liquid Glass design. Many users like the translucent glass effect.
Crushable speed of light
To quote our opinion:
By AppleLiquid Glass “combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity that only Apple can achieve.” What does this mean? The central elements of the user interface are now translucent and expressive. So when objects overlap or interact, new liquid-like animations cause a transparent lighting effect, as if you were looking through glass or water… I experienced no lag with the subtle animations that occur when different widgets or icons meet at the edges. Liquid Glass also makes the simplest interactions much more satisfying. In the updated Camera app, switching between Photo, Video, Pano, and other settings causes text to curvature and refraction.
Liquid Glass also comes with new custom lock screens, which allow you to add a touch of personalization to your iPhone.
Disadvantage: You may not like liquid glass
A custom lock screen in iOS 26.
Credit: Apple
Once again, the most notable change Apple made with iOS 26 is Liquid Glass, and the new design language permeates your entire iPhone UI after installing the update. This makes everything look like liquid glass, with lots of transparency effects and dynamic animations that make everything look very smooth – when it works.
There’s just one problem: not everyone likes Liquid Glass. While you have some control over how it looks, the added effects and transparency don’t work for everyone. You can’t either Really turn it off. One of the latest beta versions of iOS 26 has a new “tinted glass” mode that lets you exert a little more control over the appearance of Liquid Glass, but it still doesn’t let users keep the old UI, and it’s only a beta feature. Personally, I don’t mind Liquid Glass (although I tweaked it slightly to make it a little less glassy), but if you absolutely hate it, you might want to hold off on installing iOS 26.
Pro: Crucial app redesigns
Why hasn’t it always been like this?!
Credit: Screenshot: Apple
Besides new features and a new design language, iOS 26 also introduced at least one absolutely significant overhaul of the application. Of course, I’m talking about the Photos app.
On previous versions of iOS, Photos became a mess with multiple tabs arranged confusingly. It was harder than it should be to simply find your Library or Favorites folder, for example, at least until you got used to it. On iOS 26, Photos has been streamlined, so there are only two tabs, Library and Collections, at the bottom of the screen. One of them shows you everything on your phone, while the other shows you everything you have put in folders.
It’s so simple that one wonders why it hasn’t always been this way.
Disadvantage: your battery could suffer
Last but not least, there have been numerous complaints from users that iOS 26 is affecting – if not outright destroying – the battery life of their iPhones. To be perfectly clear, this hasn’t affected everyone or even the majority of iOS 26 users, but that doesn’t mean it’s not real.
There are a few possible explanations for this. Apple itself says this is a temporary setback as your phone gets used to the new update (my words, not theirs). Some have claimed that updating all your apps and restarting the device helps. Low Power Mode (and the new Adaptive Power setting) could alleviate this problem, at least potentially. It’s also possible that none of these work, in which case you may need to schedule an appointment with Apple Support.
Personally, I have nothing against iOS 26, I’ve been using it since its launch, but there are good reasons not to upgrade.
