Apple Continues Refining Its Ambitious Liquid Glass Design, Reducing Transparency Effects in iOS 26 Beta 3 The third developer beta version of iOS 26 demonstrates significant shifts away from the ultra-transparent aesthetic introduced during WWDC 2025. These updates aim to enhance readability and usability across the operating system. System-wide visual adjustments now feature increased contrast and reduced transparency. Feedback regarding the initial design being "visually overwhelming" and difficult to read prompted changes in notifications, Apple Music navigation bars, and other native applications. For example, the redesigned notification backgrounds now use darker tones, while Apple Music's navigation bar has transitioned from semi-transparent to solid white. The control center modifications initiated in Beta 2 have continued evolving in this release. Previously allowing home screen icons to show through, the updated implementation resolves user confusion about interface elements. Developer and user reactions remain divided. Some testers welcome the accessibility improvements, while critics argue these changes undermine the futuristic vision Apple recently previewed. "iOS 26 Beta 3 completely diminished the liquid glass effects," noted AppleTrack's Sam Kohl on X. "It looks significantly cheaper now, as if Apple abandoned its original creative direction." Industry professionals have shared contrasting perspectives. Design veteran Allan Yu (former Shopify/Facebook designer) told *Business Insider* that while Beta 2 marked significant progress, Beta 3 might have overcorrected. "It's regressing toward conventional design principles," he remarked. MacPaw's senior engineer Serhii Popov suggested users would appreciate customizable transparency settings. Public discussions have increasingly called for system-level customization options to balance aesthetics and functionality. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman proposed, "Instead of reverting 75% of the liquid glass concept, Apple should let users choose their preferred transparency level. At this point, it practically resembles frosted glass." However, some Reddit users value these changes specifically for accessibility reasons, with one user stating, "For those with visual impairments, this update makes the interface significantly more usable than eye-catching graphical effects." As iOS 26 remains in early testing (developer betas focus on feedback collection and bug fixes before public release), Apple typically finalizes software updates by September to align with new iPhone launches. While the company has not publicly addressed the design debates, analysts expect further refinements to the liquid glass aesthetic in upcoming beta versions as Apple seeks to harmonize innovation with practical usability.