It’s already July, which signifies the arrival of the month Apple pledged to release the public beta of iOS 26. However, instead of that anticipated launch, developers have received beta 3—a version that sheds more light on Apple’s intentions, even though the wider release is still pending. Last month, we provided a detailed overview of the beta 2 update, and in comparison, this third iteration does not introduce as many groundbreaking alterations. Nonetheless, several significant adjustments and system enhancements are noteworthy. Apple continues to refine the design, address inconsistencies, and subtly evaluate the features it showcased during WWDC. Although the list of modifications may not be extensive, there are enough changes to warrant attention.
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Where Did Liquid Glass Go in Beta 3?
The most prominent updates in iOS 26 beta 3 revolve around design, particularly concerning the Liquid Glass interface. Following the WWDC presentation, this feature sparked extensive discussion across various platforms. While some hailed it as a novel approach, others criticized it as difficult to read, confusing, and labeled it as potentially the worst design Apple has ever introduced. Apple was quick to react. Beta 2 already dialed back the original concept, reducing the transparency in several areas. With beta 3, this trend continues, making the initial idea nearly unrecognizable.
To clarify, in all comparative images, beta 2 is displayed on the left, while beta 3 is on the right. The blur effect found in the Control Center and Notification Center has become noticeably less intense. While beta 2 had already toned down the glassy background, beta 3 transforms it into a soft frosted panel with greater opacity and reduced visual clutter. Buttons and toggles appear clearer against the background, and text readability has improved. Although the design still aligns with the overall direction of iOS 26, it no longer exudes the bold “new design” vibe at first glance.
To truly appreciate how much Apple has toned down the Liquid Glass effect, one can look at the Music app. In both Library and Now Playing views, the lively glass background now appears largely opaque. The blur effect over album covers and interface elements has diminished significantly. The red header bar in the Library, which once allowed colors to subtly shine through, now resembles a sheet of frosted film adhered to the top. While functional, it lacks the dynamic quality it once had.
Safari has also undergone a similar transformation. The address/search bar now features a solid white background, enhancing contrast but sacrificing the glossy look. Previously, scrolling created a layered appearance with blurred backgrounds, which has now disappeared. In beta 3, the effect feels more static—functional, yes, but a departure from what Apple initially demonstrated.
Maps experienced a comparable design rollback. Panels that once utilized transparent layers now resemble solid cards more closely. The business information panel has seen improvements in structure and alignment, enhancing clarity, but the new glass effect is subtle at best. Although the navigation banner supports Liquid Glass, the change is hardly noticeable, with the sharp layering seen in prior betas no longer prominent.
Interestingly, Notes took a different path. Here, the contextual menu received a thicker blur, bringing it closer to the original Liquid Glass concept. It stands out as one of the few instances where beta 3 advanced the design instead of retreating. The reasoning behind this particular choice remains unclear, but it’s a welcome addition.
Regrettably, the current situation is not what many had hoped for. The initial beta appeared to be bold and innovative, and there was excitement surrounding it. Now, much of that initial flair seems to have been stripped away, leaving a design that resembles frosted plastic rather than polished glass. The smooth transitions and vibrant overlays have vanished, resulting in a more subdued and safer aesthetic.
At this juncture, introducing customization options might be beneficial. Allow users the choice between the original Liquid Glass for those who appreciated it and a more minimal approach for those who preferred a subtler look. Presently, it feels as though Apple has heeded the loudest critics while disregarding those who enjoyed the new design. If Liquid Glass is entirely eliminated by the time the public beta launches, the outcome of this debate will be abundantly clear.
Fixes You’ll Notice Without Reading a Beta 3 Changelog
In addition to the visual adjustments, beta 3 comes with an extensive array of bug fixes. While the comprehensive details are available in Apple’s official release notes, our focus is on the most significant improvements that impact everyday system functionality.
The Dock now functions as intended. In beta 2, icons occasionally clung to the left side if all four spots weren’t filled, leading to a disorganized appearance. Beta 3 rectifies this issue, restoring the Dock’s intended behavior.
Safari has also resolved a freezing issue when opening links in the background. In the previous beta, some tabs appeared to load correctly, only to cause the browser to lock up and become unresponsive. That glitch seems to have been eliminated. You can now open multiple tabs in the background without experiencing crashes.
Apple has also optimized animation performance within the Messages app when utilizing animated wallpapers. Although beta 2 initiated improvements, frame drops were still noticeable. Beta 3 has enhanced this further—scrolling is smoother, transitions are seamless, and Messages no longer stumbles under the weight of its visual elements.
Another frustrating issue from beta 2 involved keyboards missing keys in Apple’s applications. Users would find that when opening Notes or Mail, portions of the keyboard simply wouldn’t appear. While it was still possible to type by guessing the location of the invisible letters, that problem has now been resolved. All keys are displayed correctly.
One more noteworthy fix is that the adaptive depth effect in wallpapers and contact posters is functioning correctly again. In beta 2, users who upgraded from beta 1 noticed that the adaptive clock had lost its layering. With beta 3, that depth has returned. While it may seem like a minor fix, it’s something that frequent lock screen viewers will appreciate.
In summary, beta 3 has not only refined the visuals but also addressed several inconsistencies that made daily use unpredictable. While perfection is still a work in progress, the advancements are evident. For the time being, the operating system appears more polished and user-friendly.
Is There Anything Actually New in Beta 3?
Most of the major features of iOS 26 were unveiled during WWDC, leading to lowered expectations for groundbreaking changes in these betas. At this stage, we are deep into refinement, focusing on minor adjustments, visual polish, and the occasional unexpected addition. Nevertheless, beta 3 has introduced a few new elements.
Firstly, Apple has added new default wallpaper options. The original iOS 26 background is now available in several variations: Shadow, Sky, Halo, and Dusk. For those who found the default appearance overly bright or bland, these options offer a way to adjust the aesthetic without sacrificing style. These variations change with the system clock, creating a sense of dynamism that keeps the visuals feeling fresh throughout the day—albeit subtly.
Additionally, a new feature in the settings allows the Accessibility section to send notifications. Users will receive a prompt the first time it is triggered. Although the specific purpose of this addition remains unclear, it could prove beneficial for individuals who rely on these tools, or it could simply become another notification to overlook. Only time will tell how this feature will be utilized.
Final Thoughts
In reviewing the key updates in iOS 26 beta 3, most changes are centered around the visual aspects, particularly the ongoing adjustments to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is evidently fine-tuning this feature with each new build. Many of us hope that this is merely a temporary phase before the public beta is released, as the current design is not what we anticipated or desired—especially for those who favored the original look.
On the performance front, beta 3 has made clear strides beyond what beta 2 offered. System animations have become smoother, crashes are less frequent, and the device runs cooler overall. The overheating issues that plagued earlier builds are noticeably absent during prolonged usage. In essence, the operating system now appears more stable, but the wait continues. The public beta is expected to arrive shortly, and hopefully, the final version of iOS 26 will achieve a better equilibrium between aesthetic appeal and functionality.
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