I absolutely loathe iOS 26

[I7guy]

FTFY.

Yeah, it’s a common meme. But corporations who sell discretionary products where there are many manufacturers and who aren’t consumer focused typically will not have a good survival chance. That doesn’t mean companies should give away their price them accordingly, and if the price is wrong they will know.

 

[I7guy]

I don’t loathe 26, I quite like it by and large.

I just use the ordinary light and dark app icons, but yesterday someone was sat on the train next to me using tinted icons and swiping between Home Screens the app icons would ‘reload’ (appear blank squircles initially, and then the actual icons would populate). I tried tinted icons out in the initial iOS26 betas last summer on my iPhone 11 and it was doing that, but that it’s still doing it now is ridiculous to me. It looks so rubbish (in my opinion). If I was a non-iPhone user and was coming up to needing a new phone and considering an iPhone, seeing that would put me off.

Somehow given the last earnings call I don’t think Apple cares if it loses a customer here and there. However I just tried a bunch of LG settings and my anecdotal experience is it’s smooth as silk.

 

[FeliApple]

The sad part is that even those of us that are holdouts know that at some point we’ll have to use it. Like, this goes beyond performance and battery life because a new device might stabilise that, but at some point (as somebody who has the newest devices that can run iOS and iPadOS 18), I know that I will have to upgrade.

Sure, we’ll get used to it, but it doesn’t mean that we’ll like it.

I’ve tried it a couple of times both on iPhones and iPads (that aren’t mine), I’ve watched long-form videos about it, and I still find it absolutely horrible, especially on iPads.

Luckily (and hopefully) I can hold out for a while with iOS and iPadOS 18.

As an update on devices from older iOS versions it is beyond appalling, with people reporting even a 15-20% battery life loss and performance issues on the latest updatable devices (the 16 series and iPads like the A16 (11th-gen)).

Honestly my favourite iPad version since iOS 6 is iPadOS 15 on my M1 iPad Air (5th-gen), performance is amazing and the chipset is overpowered for that version, everything runs so smoothly. So far compatibility is fine, but we know how this goes…

I’ve seen some iPads running 26 and wow, that is awful, I’d say it’s far worse than on iPhones.

 

[turbineseaplane]

@FeliApple

My iPad 9 and iPad Mini 5 will never go beyond iPadOS 18.
They struggle at times as it is, due to being RAM starved.

To your point, we'll all get it shoved down our throat at some point on new devices.

I wonder if Apple plans to ever again make an iOS/iPadOS device I even want?

The iPad Mini's continue to ship with garbage screens and remain barely updated, and they haven't made an iPhone I want in 5 years now (they are all too big).

Hmmm. 🧐

 

[FeliApple]

@FeliApple

My iPad 9 and iPad Mini 5 will never go beyond iPadOS 18.
They struggle at times as it is, due to being RAM starved.

I really, really like the 9th-gen iPad, it’s the final version of the home button design and honestly I wouldn’t be happy at all seeing the disconnect between the classic Apple design and… whatever 26 is.

And yeah, even people on the newest devices complain so I really wouldn’t want to run 26 on anything that’s not a device released with it.

To your point, we'll all get it shoved down our throat at some point on new devices.

I wonder if Apple plans to ever again make an iOS/iPadOS device I even want?

The iPad Mini's continue to ship with garbage screens and remain barely updated, and they haven't made an iPhone I want in 5 years now (they are all too big).

Hmmm. 🧐

I was a small phone holdout (bought the 5s instead of the iPhone 6 and strongly considered the 1st-gen SE) but battery life won me over with… the 7 Plus, so I gave up there (and chose the 16 Plus over the regular 16).

I don’t know about you, but a family member (who does not care about technology at all and just grabs our devices when we upgrade) was on the 5s, complained about the size of the iPhone 8 and complained again with the 11… but got used to it regardless.

Are you using the SE (3rd-gen I assume?) If so, do you think it would be impossible for you to get used to a larger iPhone? Have you given it a trial run?

I absolutely love that design, and as an iPhone 8 user (on iOS 14) it’s a device I really like (and a device I’d have no issues with as a main iPhone if compatibility allowed, honestly). Battery life is a bit iffy because it’s your run-of-the-mill good version 4.7-inch iPhone: 7-8 hours of light SOT, 6 hours of efficient cellular SOT, and it goes down from there as you increase the load (vs 27 hours, 22, and below on my 16 Plus on iOS 18… massive difference), but otherwise it’s very comfortable (and I don’t even miss a 4-inch screen).

 

[turbineseaplane]

I don’t know about you, but a family member (who does not care about technology at all and just grabs our devices when we upgrade) was on the 5s, complained about the size of the iPhone 8 and complained again with the 11… but got used to it regardless.

Nope. No chance.
They are all too wide.

That's the key metric for me I've learned with lots and lots and lots of trials and tribulations.

Weight isn't far behind either.

It's important also to remember that: I don't want to "get used to it".

It's freaking ridiculous that a multi TRILLION dollar company won't make some more varied models.
Human hands haven't changed size since the first iPhones came out.

 

[macfacts]

Wait until you've tried the swipe-to-get-back gesture on an Android phone 😉

The great thing about Android is, it gives you a choice and I just prefer pressing a software button to go back.

 

[FeliApple]

Nope. No chance.
They are all too wide.

That's the key metric for me I've learned with lots and lots and lots of trials and tribulations.

Weight isn't far behind either.

It's important also to remember that: I don't want to "get used to it".

It's freaking ridiculous that a multi TRILLION dollar company won't make some more varied models.
Human hands haven't changed size since the first iPhones came out.

You’ve got a while with the 3rd-gen SE, I reckon far longer than what we both have with iOS 18, sadly…

We will have to do something at some point but for now it’s fine.

 

[turbineseaplane]

You’ve got a while with the 3rd-gen SE, I reckon far longer than what we both have with iOS 18, sadly…

We will have to do something at some point but for now it’s fine.

I'm on a 13 Mini
Close enough on support to SE3

I mean, if I have to, I'll ride the 13 Mini until cell networks won't work with it, Apple support or not.

 

[FeliApple]

I'm on a 13 Mini

Oh, a Mini, right, I somehow forgot about it when I wrote the comment. Even better then. You have even longer. I would’ve liked to try a Mini honestly! I think Apple should’ve maintained the form factor because why not cater to as many people as possible?

There was (is?) arguably a significant minority that wants smaller phones, it’s sad that Apple chose to discontinue the Mini.

 

[SalisburySam]

I assume the mini iPhone form factor died with the 13mini for possibly two reasons: sales (unit quantity as well as overall contribution to margin) did not meet whatever targets were set for it, and supply chain expenses exceeded whatever amount was budgeted. Given Cook’s background, I think the latter was the bigger issue but with more robust sales he might have lived with it.

Moving forward, I’m not sure any mini could ever generate the margins Apple demands without pricing it too close to the base size new iPhone territory. Maybe a foldable mini for, oh say, $2500?

So what? So we’re keeping our two iPhone13minis on v18.n.n.n.n as long as no other Apple option exists. When they die, well, we’ll think about that when we get to that bridge. To be fair, our iPhone use may not be typical: actual phone calls, texts, some email, photos/videos, but mostly apps to control life parts such as road navigation, EV road charging, vehicle pre-heating and pre-cooling, control of floor vacuum/mop, irrigation system control, home lighting, home network, and the wonderful Wallet app for storing event tickets, flight passes, and ApplePay purchases such as coffee on the road. For just about everything else, I use my 12.9” iPadPro, also on iPadOSv18.something just to avoid Liquid Glass which I find anathema.

 

[super chimp]

I assume the mini iPhone form factor died with the 13mini for possibly two reasons: sales (unit quantity as well as overall contribution to margin) did not meet whatever targets were set for it, and supply chain expenses exceeded whatever amount was budgeted. Given Cook’s background, I think the latter was the bigger issue but with more robust sales he might have lived with it.

Moving forward, I’m not sure any mini could ever generate the margins Apple demands without pricing it too close to the base size new iPhone territory. Maybe a foldable mini for, oh say, $2500?

So what? So we’re keeping our two iPhone13minis on v18.n.n.n.n as long as no other Apple option exists. When they die, well, we’ll think about that when we get to that bridge. To be fair, our iPhone use may not be typical: actual phone calls, texts, some email, photos/videos, but mostly apps to control life parts such as road navigation, EV road charging, vehicle pre-heating and pre-cooling, control of floor vacuum/mop, irrigation system control, home lighting, home network, and the wonderful Wallet app for storing event tickets, flight passes, and ApplePay purchases such as coffee on the road. For just about everything else, I use my 12.9” iPadPro, also on iPadOSv18.something just to avoid Liquid Glass which I find anathema.

Considering the lack of small phones in general it’s pretty obvious that there isn’t the market there to support them. Companies are not going to make devices that don’t sell are they?

I’m not sure why people don’t get that? I prefer smaller devices but have accepted I’m in a minority that obviously there isn’t enough of us to make it worth while these companies supporting.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Not strictly an iOS 26 thing but my god this has to be the most useless weather condition icon. Is it foggy? Is it hailing? Do I need an umbrella?

For all I know, this icon means it's radioactive outside! Having to tap into it defeats the "information at a glance" that widgets are supposed to offer.

 

[now i see it]

-

 

[Dust-by-Monday]

Not strictly an iOS 26 thing but my god this has to be the most useless weather condition icon. Is it foggy? Is it hailing? Do I need an umbrella?

For all I know, this icon means it's radioactive outside! Having to tap into it defeats the "information at a glance" that widgets are supposed to offer.

View attachment 2631412

I agree. It’s like this on Mac too

 

[AgeOfSpiracles]

And if you use the Clear theme I found it takes 1-2 seconds for the Clear icons to show up if you swipe across on the home screen. Not a deal breaker for me but I began to wonder if my phone would get worse with each version of iOS?

This may be like iOS7 where you needed newer hardware to take advantage of the new look. My iPad 2 struggled with iOS 7. I don't that to happen to my iPhone 13, so lesson learned.

I thought that it was just b/c of having an iPhone 13 as well.... but it still does it on my 17 Pro. I didn't realize that it was directly tied to the clear theme, so that's good to know. Sill, pretty disappointing this many minor revisions into iOS 26.

 

[Thor_9]

Nope. No chance.
They are all too wide.

I want a bigger iPhone. I am not a big person, small framed with small hands. And I have NEVER thought the iPhone 17 Pro Max was heavy.

 

[carswell]

I want a bigger iPhone. I am not a big person, small framed with small hands. And I have NEVER thought the iPhone 17 Pro Max was heavy.

Huh. I'm a pretty big person (6'3" 220lbs/1.9 m 100 kg) and weight-train 3-4 times a week and I find my 16 Pro to be heavy enough that I wish I'd waited and bought a regular 17.

IMHO, the iPhone X was the ideal form factor. if Apple updated it (they could market it as the new Mini), I'd switch in a flash.

 

[cbreze]

I want a bigger iPhone. I am not a big person, small framed with small hands. And I have NEVER thought the iPhone 17 Pro Max was heavy.

To each their own, I wish I hadn't sold my 13 mini. I love that small size. So nicely pocketable.

 

[McScooby]

Nope. No chance.
They are all too wide.

That's the key metric for me I've learned with lots and lots and lots of trials and tribulations.

Weight isn't far behind either.

It's important also to remember that: I don't want to "get used to it".

It's freaking ridiculous that a multi TRILLION dollar company won't make some more varied models.
Human hands haven't changed size since the first iPhones came out.

Sadly I'm guessing that they directly proportionally equate the screen size to the number and price of further services offered and sold.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Anyone else wonder why safari on not-iPhone gets this strip behind the toolbar elements? It looks stupid. Like the team didn't have confidence in having UI elements floating over content or something.

This is the company famed for consistency?

 

[CrabQueenInc]

Anyone else wonder why safari on not-iPhone gets this strip behind the toolbar elements? It looks stupid. Like the team didn't have confidence in having UI elements floating over content or something.

This is the company famed for consistency?

View attachment 2632334

"We heard you like concentricity."

 

[FeliApple]

I distinctly like Apple presentations. This is subjective, but I really like their presentations and they oftentimes make me want to buy things I don’t really want, if you know what I mean.

I am strongly against iOS updates and haven’t willingly updated in like 15 years - their presentations make me want to tap the update button.

I just watched the Liquid Glass presentation for the first time ever… nope. Still ugly, even while they showcase Liquid Glass’ positive aspects.

 

[abromber]

To each their own, I wish I hadn't sold my 13 mini. I love that small size. So nicely pocketable.

iPhone mini 13 still available on eBay and it will run ios26.

abromber

 

[Brettka7]

What do y’all want from WWDC26, fellow iOS 26 haters?

I know Liquid Glass isn’t going away, and I still hate the current implementation. However, I’d be satisfied with what WWDC26 introduces if they:

1. Reduce unnecessary padding
2. Fix at least half the bugs WWDC25 introduced
3. Introduce a system-wide Liquid Glass slider that functions exactly like the truly beautiful clock slider. I love how it both darkens and blurs as opposed to the tinted on/off switch we have now
4. Introduce an accessibility option to completely remove specular highlights on Home Screen icons. If they won’t do that, they should at least figure out a way to make them trick my eyes into believing they’re glass.