Apple reduces Liquid Glass transparency in iOS 26 Beta 3

In the third developer beta of iOS 26, Apple continues to reshape the Liquid Glass design by reducing the transparency of interface elements. Panels, buttons, and tabs are now less see-through and have a more matte texture. This makes the UI easier to read, but also moves it further from the striking, fluid look presented at WWDC.

Earlier versions impressed with semi-transparent elements that allowed users to see content beneath. However, in Beta 2, Apple began increasing contrast — improving usability, but shifting the aesthetic closer to a frosted-glass style reminiscent of Samsung’s One UI 7.

With Beta 3, the trend toward reduced transparency continues. While this improves legibility, some users see it as a step backward, arguing that the interface has lost some of its original "liquid" identity. In some cases, transparency levels now depend on the specific app being used.

The update is currently available only to developers. The final iOS 26 release is expected this fall.