Apple unveiled a new and glass-like software design for iOS 26 at WWDC 2025 and the internet can't stop talking about it.

Apple revealed iOS 26 featuring Liquid Glass at WWDC 2025, but the lack of an AI killer feature left analysts questioning its competitive edge.

Some users and designers are already panning Apple's new user interface dubbed Liquid Glass, even though it's a bit early. There are reasons to think it might improve — but also valid critiques.

It's hard to look at Apple's new "Liquid Glass" aesthetic and not think about Windows Vista, Microsoft's much-maligned OS which also touted transparencies and glass-like effects as a bold new vision for computing.

PC users can't help but notice the similarities between Apple's 'liquid glass' design philosophy and the Aero interface in Microsoft's Windows Vista OS from 2007.

At WWDC 2025, Apple changed how we interact with our devices with the introduction of a new user interface it calls Liquid Glass. Apple CEO Tim Cook described it this way: “Expressive. Delightful. But still instantly familiar.”

Described as “a new translucent material that reflects and refracts its surroundings” by Apple, Liquid Glass is meant to bring “greater focus to content, and [deliver] a new level of vitality across controls, navigation, app icons, widgets, and more.”

Software designers, even those impressed by Apple’s refreshed look at WWDC 2025, are concerned about the readability of the company’s new see-through aesthetic.

On top of looking pretty, Apple says that it’s also functional. Liquid Glass UI elements will be able to expand and contract with nice-looking animations to adapt to what the app needs it to do. It also works with light and dark modes along with Apple’s new clear mode, which makes all of your icons look like glass.

Apple announced a refreshed user interface called Liquid Glass, which features a transparent visual interface that gives everything a "glassy" look.

What I’m getting at is that the main features of watchOS 26 are the design and name. Apple Watch will get the same Liquid Glass design as the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro.