Liquid Glass is here — how should designers respond?

Apple's newest design update, Liquid Glass, introduced at the WWDC 2025, represents a major departure from the longstanding design established with iOS 7 in 2013, aiming to unify the user experience across its devices with a visually cohesive aesthetic. Liquid Glass, which combines the optical qualities of real glass with fluidity, has drawn mixed reactions: it is praised for its attention to detail and stunning animations but criticized for potential readability issues due to its transparency and low contrast, echoing past designs like Windows Aero. This design, part of Apple's broader strategy to create a harmonious experience across platforms, is seen as both an evolution of glassmorphism and a step towards more immersive and responsive interfaces, though it raises questions about its practicality and accessibility. Despite being in a beta phase, the design has sparked debate over usability and functionality, with critics noting that while visually impressive, it may increase cognitive load and pose challenges for users with visual impairments. As Apple continues to push the boundaries of UI/UX design, Liquid Glass could herald a new era of interface aesthetics, prompting designers to consider how to balance immersive experiences with user-friendly functionality.