Should You Upgrade to iOS 26? Pros and cons of the new update.

The latest version of Apple iOS has been out for more than a month, but many people may still be divided on whether or not to install the update.

IOS 26 features the biggest redesign of Apple’s mobile OS in ten years, bringing a new liquid aesthetic to iPhones. But in the weeks since iOS 26 was launched, users have shared as many opinions about it as there are apps in the app store. Its new visual style, user complaints about battery drain, and other quirks have led some users to conclude that they don’t need to download yet. After all, once you download iOS 26 and switch to liquid lilfuni, there is no going back.

However, there are positives in iOS 26, too. Here are just a few reasons why you should (or shouldn’t) download iOS 26 for your iPhone.

Pro: Some of the new features are great

Every new version of iOS comes with new features, of course. Some years it brings very little, and other years it brings a lot. There are at least a few features in iOS 26 that put this year’s update in the final category.

First, it translates live messages, FaceTime, and phone calls. Two people speaking different languages ​​who can’t understand each other over the phone is probably the best app yet for Apple intelligence. Sure, it might be too bad to have to wait to hear a translation of what was just said to you before responding, but it shouldn’t be as difficult as not understanding what it all means.

That’s the real kind of conversion, but there are other limes, too. Being able to make votes and set custom backgrounds in group chats in messages seems small, but it can add a lot of personality to the spaces where you meet your loved ones and friends. That’s not a thing, and you can only do it in iOS 26.

Pro: you’d like liquid glass

Liquid glass never made it to the iPhone. Thanks to Macos Tahoe 26, iPados 26, and other OS updates, it also changes the look of macbooks, iPads and Apple watches. Mashable’s Tech editor gave the ipados 26 a good review, thanks in part to the new liquid glass design. Many users like the translucent glass effect.

To quote our review:

For each apple, liquid glass “combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity only an apple can achieve.” What does that mean? The important features of the user interface are now changed and displayed, so when things melt or interact, if you look at glass or water … I have never faced lag with animations or different icons meet at the edges. Liquid glass also makes communication very easy and very satisfying. In the updated camera app, switching between Photo, Video, Pano, and other settings causes the text to bend and refract.

Liquid glass also comes with new custom lock screens, allowing you to add a touch of personalization to your iPhone.

Con: You might not like liquid glass

Custom lock screen in iOS 26.
Credit: Apple

Also, the most noticeable apple made with iOS 26 is the liquid glass, and the new Design language permeates the entire UI on your iPhone after installing the update. It makes everything look, well, like liquid glass, with lots of transparent effects and dynamic graphics that make it all flow a lot – when it works.

There is only one problem: not everyone likes liquid glass. While you have the ability to control how it looks, more and more obvious effects don’t work for everyone. And you can’t indeed almost. One of the latest BETA IOS 26 has a new “Tinted Glass” mode that allows you to give a little more power to the liquid glass look, but it remains to allow users to keep the old UI, and it’s just a beta feature. I don’t personally remember the liquid glass (although I did a little to make the glass a little smaller), but if you absolutely hate it, you might want to hold back and install iOS 26.

Pro: Clucial App RedESigns

Why wasn’t it always like this?!
Credit: screenshot: apple

Apart from new features and a new design language, iOS 26 also introduced at least one respectively A major redesign of the app. Of course, I’m talking about the photo app.

In previous versions of iOS, images had become distorted with multiple tabs enabled. It was more difficult than just having to find your library or your favorites folder, for example, at least until you get used to it. In iOS 26, the images have been understood so there are just two tabs, library and collections, at the bottom of the screen. One of them shows you everything on your phone, and the other shows you everything you’ve put in folders.

It’s so easy that it makes you wonder why it’s not always this way.

Con: Your battery may suffer

Last but certainly not least, there have been many user complaints that IOS 26 is affecting – or apparently ruining – the battery life on their phones. To be perfectly clear, this hasn’t affected everyone or even most iOS 26 users, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a real thing.

There are some possible explanations for this. Apple itself says that this is temporarily restored as your phone is used for a new update (my words, not theirs). Some have claimed that updating all of your apps and power cycling helps. Low power mode (and variable power settings) can alleviate this, at least, possibly. It is also possible that none of them will work, in which case it may be necessary that you need to make an appointment with Apple support.

I personally have nothing against iOS 26, I’ve used it since launch, but there are good reasons not to upgrade.