After about 4 weeks with iOS 26 I downgraded back to iOS 18. Aside from the expected performance and battery improvements from getting off the beta one thing I was struck by was how much iOS 18 almost feels like an upgrade from iOS 26. And while there are numerous bugs still in 18 the design felt better, more consistent and actually thought out. I came away from iOS 26 thinking it was design simply for the sake of design. Disjointed and unfinished in many areas, and while the rest of the beta period may resolve some of this it felt like a huge upgrade going back to iOS 18. Just my opinion here but brings a lot of caution to upgrading to iOS 26. Don't think I will update to the newest OS for the first time since owning an iPhone
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Thoughts
- Thread starter Jakesky123
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You're comparing an iOS that's been out almost a year to one on only its 2nd developer beta? Not really a fair or justified comparison really. I'm sure several things with change and/or get polished/bugs ironed out over the complete beta cycle. There will be changes that some won't like, but pretty much happens every year. I just installed iOS 26 db2 a couple days ago and have enjoyed the changes for the most part and I knew there would be bugs and stuttering issue when I did. If these issue are still there at the end of August then I would get worried somewhat, but not now when we are literally at the beginning of the beta cycle still.
iOS 18 is the culmination of design tweaks and optimization going all the way back to iOS 7. It may take time before the liquid glass design can reach the level of polish we've become used to.
My sentiments exactly. I have tried iOS 26 twice now on 2 different phones. I’m flabbergasted at how terrible the visual design is - there is a distinct lack of style and taste. Not for me.
