macOS Tahoe 26.0.1 Review on MacBook Pro 14" 2021 M1: Should You Upgrade from Sequoia?
Recommendation: It is NOT advisable to upgrade to macOS Tahoe 26.0.1 at this time, especially from a stable Sequoia system. It’s better to wait for versions 26.2 or 26.3 when major bugs are expected to be resolved.
Current Issues
Performance and Stability
- Tahoe is currently unstable on M1 machines.
- Users report lagging, freezing, and system hangs frequently.
- Multitasking suffers from noticeable input delay (0.2-0.4 seconds).
Battery Life Problems
- Significant battery drain, losing around 20-45 minutes compared to Sequoia 15.7.
- Reasons include GPU-heavy Liquid Glass UI, continuous background Apple Intelligence processes, over-indexing by Spotlight and Photos, and high widget engine RAM usage.
Compatibility Issues
- Some third-party apps and plugins face compatibility problems.
- USB-C and external display functionalities have reported glitches.
Tahoe vs Sequoia Comparison
| Criteria | Sequoia 15.7 | Tahoe 26.0.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | Very stable | Multiple bugs, crashes |
| CPU Performance | Baseline | 2-5% slower |
| Battery Life (M1) | ~9h20m average | ~8h35m (-45m) |
| App Launch Speed | Fast | Slower, laggy |
| Multitasking | Smooth | Laggy, delayed input |
| App Compatibility | Excellent | Some issues |
| UI Design | Familiar | Liquid Glass (controversial) |
New Features Not Worth the Trade-Off
- Liquid Glass UI: Visually controversial and perceived as less professional.
- Phone app: Handy but non-essential.
- Apple Intelligence enhancements limited on M1.
- Game Mode added but M1 2021 not a primary target.
Expert Opinions
- MacPaw: “Sequoia is smoother and better for daily use; Tahoe suits heavy workflows and customization but is buggy.”
- OSXDaily: “Avoid upgrading to macOS Tahoe 26 right now; do not install initial dot-zero OS releases.”
- Apple Forums: “Only upgrade if necessary and prepared for troubleshooting; otherwise, wait for more stable releases.”
Recommendations
Stay on Sequoia if:
- Your current system is stable.
- You rely on critical work apps.
- Battery life is a priority.
- You dislike sudden UI changes.
Consider upgrading only if:
- You want to explore new features.
- You can handle potential bugs.
- You mainly use Apple apps.
- You have full backups and rollback plans.
Safe Upgrade Timeline:
- 26.1 expected October 2025 – minor bug fixes.
- 26.2 expected November 2025 – recommended upgrade time.
- 26.3 expected December 2025 – full stability.
Current Community Feedback (October 2025)
- Ongoing issues with USB-C, Time Machine backups, and freezes.
- Some battery improvements noted after a few days of use.
- Minor security and stability update 26.0.1 released, mainly fixing M3 Ultra bugs.
