iOS 26 vs iOS 18: Should You Try the New Public Beta?

Apple has officially opened the doors to the iOS 26 public beta, and while it promises a fresh design and subtle UI improvements, many iPhone users are wondering if it’s worth the jump from iOS 18. This comparison breaks down the most noticeable differences so you can decide if testing the beta is right for you.

1. Liquid Glass: A Polished, Translucent Redesign

The star of iOS 26 is its Liquid Glass design language, inspired by Apple’s VisionOS on the Vision Pro headset. This new interface focuses on:

• Translucent dock and search bar

• Shiny edges and subtle depth effects

• Larger, slightly refreshed app icons

While these tweaks modernize the interface, they’re more refined than dramatic, keeping the familiar iOS layout intact. Users looking for a visually refreshing, glass-like aesthetic will appreciate these changes the most.

2. Home Screen and Lock Screen Changes

On the home screen, Liquid Glass introduces:

• A more transparent dock and search area

• Slightly larger icons with updated designs for core apps like Settings and Camera

• An optional “All Clear” mode for the most dramatic glassy effect

The lock screen also receives a functional makeover:

• Dynamic clock resizing based on notifications and wallpaper content

• Near-transparent notification backgrounds with cleaner white text

• A new unlock animation that simulates lifting a sheet of glass

These enhancements make everyday interactions feel sleeker, though users concerned about readability may need to enable the “Reduce Transparency” option.

3. Control Center and Dynamic Tab Bars

The Control Center remains largely unchanged, aside from:

• Rounder quick-action tiles

• Enhanced glassy backgrounds

More exciting is the debut of dynamic tab bars in apps:

• Tabs now shift or disappear while scrolling to free up space for content

• Menus adapt automatically to background colors for better visibility

• Buttons feel more physical, adding subtle depth

This small redesign improves usability and reduces the sense of clutter compared to iOS 18.

4. Adaptive Menus and Color-Sensitive UI

Apple has introduced adaptive menus that respond to app backgrounds:

• White text on dark backgrounds

• Black text on light backgrounds

This refinement improves readability while keeping the UI consistent with the Liquid Glass theme. While iOS 18 hinted at similar behavior in apps like Photos, iOS 26 executes it with more elegance and fluidity.

Before installing any public beta, protecting your data is essential because beta builds can be unstable. This is where Smart Transfer, a third-party mobile transfer app, becomes a lifesaver. I was able to transfer my data in seconds!

Smart Transfer’s iPhone app transfer feature allows you to:

• Securely move photos, videos, and documents to another device

• Transfer data wirelessly between iOS and Android devices

• Back up files easily without cloud dependency

By backing up your important data with Smart Transfer before testing iOS 26, you can experiment with new features worry-free.

6. Should You Install the iOS 26 Beta?

iOS 26 is visually fresh and functionally stable enough for casual exploration, but it’s still a beta release with potential bugs. If you rely heavily on your iPhone for daily tasks, waiting for the final release may be safer. But if you’re curious about Liquid Glass, dynamic tab bars, and adaptive UI, the public beta gives a taste of Apple’s next big leap.

Final Thoughts

The iOS 26 vs iOS 18 comparison shows that Apple’s latest update is more evolution than revolution, but it delivers a refined, polished interface that feels fresh without disrupting usability. Just remember: back up your files with Smart Transfer first, and you’ll be ready to explore Apple’s newest iPhone experience with confidence.