iOS 26 — Feels back to iOS

For years, iOS was known for its simplicity, minimalism, and unmatched smoothness. Apple built its reputation on delivering a clean, efficient operating system that “just worked.” Unlike Android, iOS stood out by keeping things streamlined and fast.

But with iOS 18, Apple took a bold step away from its long-standing strategy. For the first time, users saw a wave of customization features — something many had long asked for. At first, the changes were fascinating. The new personalization options made iOS feel fresh and modern. Yet, over time, the system started to feel heavier, and performance issues crept in. Users, including myself, noticed lag, UI glitches, and even Apple Intelligence features struggling to deliver on promises . Personalized Siri, one of Apple’s most hyped announcements, remained unavailable. In short, iOS 18 broke Apple’s golden rule, smoothness.

(Read here for more — iOS 18 is not so cool / Apple falling behind in AI)

Fast forward to July 2025, Apple announced its next major OS update, jumping straight from iOS 18 to iOS 26 to align version numbers with the year. This release was meant to unify the naming scheme across all Apple devices. The highlight feature? A brand-new Liquid Glass theme a futuristic, translucent design language.