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I’m curious, if Android was supposed to implement this design in their next major software update, would you all still be bashing it the same way how you are bashing it now? Let me know your thoughts.

Absolutely yes, 100%.

Transparency sucks; it doesn't matter who is implementing or why. Apple has tried it before, and it didn't work. Microsoft has tried it before, and it didn't work.

I don't read on transparent glass slides and I don't watch a transparent television. It makes no sense other than to "ohhh", and "ahhh", but after that is over...reality sets in and your left with an annoying interface that doesn't work.

As it stands, I won't be upgrading to iOS 26.
 
I think a lot of us would be very happy to return to this after the privacy nightmare and general attention seeking the modern smartphone has become. I purposefully leave my phone sitting on my desk, don't carry it around with me just so it doesn't distract me. I would love returning to a dumb phone that could handle just a couple things I need tied around security, authenticators etc..

I would take one of those powered by some variant of WatchOS ... in a heartbeat!!
What would be wrong with having an option for an iPhone variant like that?

Super minimal, hyper focused ... amazing battery life.
Well… At least you’re honest!

It’s all in good fun tho, I can understand why some might find the Liquid Ass UI annoying, but I actually like it 👍
 
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Well… At least you’re honest!

It’s all in good fun tho, I can understand why some might find the Liquid Ass UI annoying, but I actually like it 👍

Brutally!

Seriously, it's super maddening to me that iPhones don't have far more choice in the size options.

These devices are used very differently by folks and I want/need the smallest & lightest option possible.
 
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Shamefully bad UI team.

Users shouldn't need to enable a whole bunch of accessibility settings to get basic legibility and clarity.
The glass UX isn't as bad as your comment suggests. What is missing for those who want it is a "Frosted" option in Customize as a stylistic user preference. An alternative to "Glass". That said, after using "Glass" I think I'd stick with, along with my tinted icons. The "Reduce transparency" feature mentioned by the OP feels more for people who can barely read anything IRL.
 
Like, I’ve never bad legibility issues on 26. I do have a problem with the overall iOS 7 style aesthetic, dark mode solves most of the issues I have (super neon brigh colours, lots of white screens, very heavy on eyes as opposed to iOS 6), but you shouldn’t have to use dark mode, reduce this reduce that in order to use the design comfortably, having to use them is a sign of bad design. And bad design from Apple hurts even more, they used to be brilliant.
 
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Transparent UI's have existed before. There seems to be a reason why they are not used at this point.

A prime example of terrible design is the Messages app. Why do the contact/group name and controls above need to show what is behind them? I have scrolled that part of the message out of the way. Now, it's just a clump of junk at the top which makes it hard to see the contact/controls with data behind it that I do not want in my way now.

These are just such "dumb" design changes. There are parts of the display that I just do not need access to except for controls and very specific information, those being obscured ruin the purpose of those areas.
 
Anyone remembering that half-transparent shell console windows on a lot of UNIX/Linux desktops - especially in movies? I never saw a colleague using that transparent windows or consoles in real life. Like - what are you kidding me, i use that as a tool for work, not as an eye candy for viewers! Real life strikes back - sooner or later. ;)
 
Brutally!

Seriously, it's super maddening to me that iPhones don't have far more choice in the size options.

These devices are used very differently by folks and I want/need the smallest & lightest option possible.
I hear you! I really dislike Samsung (mostly because of Android), but I do like their wide range of models. But I guess one could argue that having too many models might affect quality.
 
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I've been assuming they'd have some such setting. Some examples I've seen have made the controls a bit less readable (the option you need doesn't pop out as quickly). I figure I'll use the defaults for a week or so then decide whether to tweak things. So not a problem.
 
I like the liquid glass for the most part, but there are a few elements that feel really poorly thought out...worst offender is when you have music playing on the lockscreen...borderline unreadable.
 
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Shamefully bad UI team.

Users shouldn't need to enable a whole bunch of accessibility settings to get basic legibility and clarity.
Shouldn’t have to tap 2x to get to tabs in safari bc somebody wanted these function hurried in a menu button.

Also, everything feels cramped now with all these round ended and cornered boxes.

Maybe I’ll get used to the shapes wasting space but I’m already pissed at the extra taps.

I’ll never go android bc I think Apple still is superior for security and privacy but that doesn’t men I have to like retrograde change for change sake moves.
 
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Phones if the average macrumor user got to decide
View attachment 2539619
At least you can see things in that!
On a serious note, people are not dumb, they might not know 100% what they want, but you can sure say they know what they DO NOT WANT.

Liquid Glass should have been an option rather than the default (Apple kinda agrees as the default icon are not set to transparent)
 
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