Getting the latest iOS update might seem like a simple tap on the screen, but sometimes, it can introduce surprises that make you question whether the upgrade was worth it. And this is the part most people overlook—how do these new features really perform on older devices, and are they worth the hassle? Recently, I finally took the plunge and installed iOS 26 on my aging iPhone, specifically onto my sleek but somewhat dated iPhone 15 Pro Max, after months of hesitation. Up until then, I had been comfortably staying with iOS 18.7, avoiding the transition despite the promises of new features.
iOS 26 undeniably packs a punch—there's no denying its strengths. But for me, the design element called Liquid Glass was a sticking point. I wasn’t exactly a fan of its aesthetics, especially on the home screen, which is a key place I see every day. Nonetheless, after spending some time exploring the new interface on other iPhones and testing out features like the updated camera layout, I felt increasingly tempted to see how it worked on my main device.
Liquid Glass: What’s the deal?
While the new Liquid Glass effect is visually striking, it also feels a bit odd at first glance. Thankfully, it doesn't significantly interfere with the apps I frequently use, but it does have a noticeable impact on the home screen, especially in how grouped apps look. When you group apps, the effect creates a glass-like overlay that warps the background wallpaper, giving a somewhat surreal illusion. You can tweak this transparency setting, but that’s where my second concern arises: the interface itself feels unnecessarily complicated.
Changing how grouped apps appear involves navigating to the Accessibility section of Settings, selecting Display & Text, and toggling Reduce Transparency or increasing contrast. On the other hand, modifying the overall look of Liquid Glass—specifically, its icon tint—requires going into Display & Brightness, which is less intuitive. And to adjust icon colors, you have to make changes directly from the home screen itself. Why is this setup so scattered? Wouldn’t it make more sense to have all these options centralized in one clear menu?
App updates: A mixed bag
I was slightly worried that upgrading to iOS 26 might break or alter some of my favorite apps, but mostly, they stayed familiar with only minor stylistic adjustments. Apps like Discord, Twitch, and Kindle continued to operate seamlessly, maintaining their core functions. However, some built-in apps, particularly the Camera and Apple Music, saw more noticeable updates.
Regarding the Camera app, I found myself appreciating the new layout. I don’t take photos frequently, often forgetting about the advanced options available. But the redesign makes key features more visible and simplifies the overall experience, which I now prefer over the previous setup.
In contrast, I’m less enthusiastic about the changes in Apple Music. The new navigation bar and swipe gestures for changing songs seem like stylistic tweaks at best. The swipe-to-skip feature is only available within the app, which feels counterintuitive. There’s no way to perform these gestures on the lock screen or through the Dynamic Island—a missed opportunity that leaves some users puzzled.
What’s happening with Apple’s AI features?
Honestly, I don’t utilize Apple Intelligence much, even though my iPhone 15 Pro Max is one of the few models supported, aside from the latest iPhone 16 and 17 series. And disappointingly, iOS 26 doesn’t introduce significant updates here either. Instead, what’s on offer are marginal improvements to existing tools like Visual Intelligence and Image Playground.
Apple’s AI capabilities still lag behind competitors like Samsung and Google, who are pushing more advanced on-device AI features. Apple has even announced that a major AI overhaul for Siri is not expected until next year, which is a bit frustrating if you're hoping for dramatic AI enhancements.
Is upgrading worth it?
So, how did I find the upgrade process, and would I recommend it for older iPhones? Overall, iOS 26 isn’t disastrous; many of the visual changes are fairly adaptable. However, the interface feels more convoluted than necessary—spreading customization options across different settings makes the process more cumbersome. Most apps continue to function as before, with only minor visual updates, and these feel more like sidegrades than true upgrades.
Are you considering updating your older iPhone to iOS 26? Or have you already done so? I’d love to hear your experiences—did the new features enhance your device’s performance, or did they complicate your everyday usage? Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation. Sometimes, technology that promises simplicity ends up feeling more complicated—what’s your take?
