I’ve got a feeling the Camera app is going to be divisive once iOS 26 lands on all supported iPhones later this year.I’ve got a feeling the Camera app is going to be divisive once iOS 26 lands on all supported iPhones later this year.
I’ve been living with the iOS 26 public beta for the past week or so, and, overall, I’d describe it as a big win.
The Liquid Glass UI, while seemingly divisive, is certainly impressive. It’s somehow both reactive and subtle in design, in a way that makes the phone feel more alive without screaming for your attention 24/7.
The new lock screen options hit the sweet spot between playful and polished, the icon refresh is tastefully modern and even tiny touches like the “time remaining” estimate while charging make everyday moments feel more considered.
But the Camera app is a different story – and I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be divisive once it lands on all supported iPhones later this year.Minimalism looks great – but it’s not very intuitive
For years, the Camera app has barely changed. That might sound boring, but I’d argue that there’s a comfortable stability to it. Everyone knew where things lived: Photo, Video, Portrait, Slow-mo, Pano, Night – left and right, tap and go.
The muscle memory was almost universal; parents, grandparents and power users all used the UI without thinking because it had been the same for years.
With iOS 26, Apple throws that well-established muscle memory out of the window.
