PSA: It is important to read all the software update buttons. Even if you ignore the first big Tahoe ad (same will apply to pads and phones), and just choose to “update”, the upgrade to Tahoe is checked by default and the button will read “Upgrade”.
This disingenuous practice which Apple has been practicing for years now, has resulted in many non-consentual OS upgrade.
The roll back process, especially without proper backup can be next to impossible, and the Liquid Glass UI roll out is just latest in failures of a company that false advertised AI, lies in court and dines with dictators and gifts them gold.
On a conspiratorial side note, this company is now fully Fourth Reich compliant, so careful installing anything new that might open up new backdoors.
/rant
iOS 26 does have some nice UX improvements (I like that popups happen right by the buttons that activated them and the new camera app), but it’s undeniable that Liquid Glass has made legibility worse and more inconsistent.
And I don’t think it’s valid to say “oh it’s a new release, they’ll iron things out later”. We should expect quality releases from one of the richest companies on Earth with some of the best engineers. Apple did not have to release Liquid Glass in its current state.
They’ve been more receptive to public criticism after releases lately, so I’m optimistic that we’ll see changes.