What do you like in iOS26 better than iOS 18?

[miamialley]

For the first time I'm finding myself hating the public beta and preferring the 'old' iOS. It's just awful. Change for the sake of change. Is there anything you LIKE better in iOS26? I can't think of any change I like. They even found a way to screw up text wallpapers by forcing both users to see the same wallpaper. Baffling.

 

[russell_314]

Everything has to change. Apple comes up with these changes to make improvements for the majority of people using their devices. The problem is everyone is a little bit different so what is an improvement for the majority of users might be a worse user experience for some.

I have it on my iPad and I’m not too excited about some of the changes. I know I need to spend some time learning the features. My issue with any device is I just want to grab it and do my thing. I don’t want to have to learn anything. Yes, I’m old lol

If I had to pick one thing I like it’s the appearance. I liked the look of Windows Vista, even though it was a terrible operating system. This kind of reminds me of Windows Vista when it comes to how it looks. From posts I’ve seen here, the look seems to be what everybody hates about it

 

[Paddle1]

There are some features that I should like in theory such as lyrics translation, call screening and "circle to search" screenshot thingy. Whether I really use them in practice remains to be seen.

Everything has to change. Apple comes up with these changes to make improvements for the majority of people using their devices. The problem is everyone is a little bit different so what is an improvement for the majority of users might be a worse user experience for some.

I have it on my iPad and I’m not too excited about some of the changes. I know I need to spend some time learning the features. My issue with any device is I just want to grab it and do my thing. I don’t want to have to learn anything. Yes, I’m old lol

If I had to pick one thing I like it’s the appearance. I liked the look of Windows Vista, even though it was a terrible operating system. This kind of reminds me of Windows Vista when it comes to how it looks. From posts I’ve seen here, the look seems to be what everybody hates about it

The Windows Vista comparison doesn't really capture the problem. Windows Vista never put text or glyphs directly on top of transparent surfaces like iOS 26 does, which is what causes the legibility issues.

 

[winxmac]

I have yet to install iOS 18.6 or iOS 26 developer beta but one thing that iOS 26 is better than iOS 18 is the Photos app.

iOS 26 Photos app brings back the All Photos [Library] layout with a separate tab for Collections unlike iOS 18 Photos where everything is in one single page. iOS 26 Photos app which is designed with Apple intelligence in mind is still not back to the iOS 17 Photos app look and feel.

 

[russell_314]

There are some features that I should like in theory such as lyrics translation, call screening and "circle to search" screenshot thingy. Whether I really use them in practice remains to be seen.


The Windows Vista comparison doesn't really capture the problem. Windows Vista never put text or glyphs directly on top of transparent surfaces like iOS 26 does, which is what causes the legibility issues.

It’s still in beta. This is why they have beta testing to identify problems like this.

 

[HouseLannister]

If More Personal Siri and RCS UP 3.x never comes to iOS 18, I will update eventually. But until then, the only real features in iOS 26 are call screening and visual intelligence in screenshots. Most everything else is a cosmetic change.

It’s still in beta. This is why they have beta testing to identify problems like this.

It's been in internal development for 3 years according to Gurman. Do you think they are really both that short-sighted that they didn't see this coming AND at the same time incredibly capable to pivot in the next month and change?

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Photos is much improved in iOS 26. Besides that, I find myself preferring 18 in every area.

 

[aperfectcircle]

I have yet to install iOS 18.6 or iOS 26 developer beta but one thing that iOS 26 is better than iOS 18 is the Photos app.

iOS 26 Photos app brings back the All Photos [Library] layout with a separate tab for Collections unlike iOS 18 Photos where everything is in one single page. iOS 26 Photos app which is designed with Apple intelligence in mind is still not back to the iOS 17 Photos app look and feel.

The Photos change is probably the one thing I dislike about iOS 26. While I didn’t initially like it when iOS 18 released, I came to prefer it and really don’t like that they’ve split it out into separate tabs again.

 

[LogicalApex]

Humans hate change. Change is unsettling so it leads to angst. We seek out the familiar...

As a result, iOS 26 is causing a lot of stirring. It might even take Apple until iOS 27 or 28 to get things exactly where they need to be visual wise for the majority of users.

For me, I have the beta on my iPad. It looks alright. I do like the way they've cleaned up some stuff in Safari and lots of what they've done in regard to windowing.

I do see it as setting the OS up for the future. They're moving in a direction where customization is more reflective throughout the OS and this new design gives them room to keep pushing that boundary. Which is a real win.

 

[one more]

Well, the looks, extra customisation options, improvements to Apple Music and Maps and improved CarPlay for me.

 

[Project Alice]

I like everything about it better so far. Especially the UI. The amount of spam texts I've received in the last 24 hours alone is making debate installing it on my DD. I usually hold off til RC for that but we'll see.

 

[papbot]

I’ve really liked the appearance on my ipad. I’ve had very few issues, and none that I consider serious. Overall responsiveness seems faster than in 18. As I’ve mentioned before, at, essentially, an early beta stage I’ve had no more issues than I usually do in a general release. I’ve not installed this on my phone where there might be issues that would prove to be a problem, but there have been none here that concern me much.

 

[adrianlondon]

On my iPhone 11, it runs at about the same speed and battery usage as iOS 18, which itself ran well. This phone doesn't support AI, which probably helps!

It seems to have a cleaner layout. The Camera app seems more intuitive to me, especially with just the "video" and "photo" options showing initially, plus the scroll-up to get the options.

The Photos app is clearer, again with a clean and simple LIbrary/Collection kind of toggle bottom left. Music app looks good.

Various configuration options look like they've been simplified, with nice clear buttons to toggle or press. I rarely use Safari so can't comment on that.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Something I forgot to mention in my earlier reply - I love the big clock. The way it shrinks down when there's notifications perfect, the way it can be partially obscured by objects in the photo, 10/10 execution on the Lock Screen.

 

[thatJohann]

nothing really, first time i am hesitant to update my OS version.

 

[pw5a29]

Just like a bit of freshness for new stuff. Functional-wise not much difference

 

[fatTribble]

Humans hate change. Change is unsettling so it leads to angst. We seek out the familiar...

As a result, iOS 26 is causing a lot of stirring. It might even take Apple until iOS 27 or 28 to get things exactly where they need to be visual wise for the majority of users.

For me, I have the beta on my iPad. It looks alright. I do like the way they've cleaned up some stuff in Safari and lots of what they've done in regard to windowing.

I do see it as setting the OS up for the future. They're moving in a direction where customization is more reflective throughout the OS and this new design gives them room to keep pushing that boundary. Which is a real win.

I think customization is key to change.
Nothing makes people happier than proudly turning off the new feature they don’t like.

Updates can sometimes feel forced as if it’s not really our device.
Customization options give us a sense of control and can make the device feel more familiar.

 

[jameseld82]

All I can really say I prefer is the app icons. Everything else I really don't like. Since reverting back to iOS 18 yesterday I have really preferred it It makes me so sad to say this as I really love Apple software but this year it has left me feeling a bit unhappy. I will see what happens come September when it officially releases but currently I don't know if I will update to 26.