29 Sept 2025
This review provides an in-depth examination of the iOS and iPadOS 26 Public Beta, focusing on its features, bugs, and overall stability. Despite significant improvements in multitasking and app design, the beta version exhibits numerous inconsistencies and performance issues, prompting a recommendation against installation on primary devices.
A close look at iOS and iPadOS 26 Public Beta was conducted by installing it on an iPad, given that iOS and iPadOS share many new features, with iPadOS also offering exclusive functionalities. This approach allowed for a comprehensive review of the beta's offerings.
The public beta version exhibits numerous bugs, strange occurrences, and general instability, echoing experiences from developer betas. Key issues include a design inconsistency where the keyboard switches between old and new styles across different applications, a persistent VPN activation problem that was resolved by deleting the VPN app, device overheating, and noticeable lags in scrolling and refresh rates, which are typical for an early beta release.
The 'Liquid Glass' feature, while visually attractive and designed with a fluid, background-less aesthetic, did not entirely deliver the anticipated 'wow factor'. Many animations showcased at WWDC are not yet implemented in the beta, as Apple is prioritizing readability and optimizing the feature's computationally heavy real-time processing before rolling out all visual effects. Its distorted design in the notification center is particularly engaging.
iMessage has received significant updates, including the introduction of poll creation within group chats, new reaction options for messages, and an enhanced group typing indicator that accurately displays multiple members currently typing, improving group communication dynamics.
The Photos application has been redesigned for a simpler and more streamlined user experience, moving away from previous cluttered interfaces. A new 'depth' capability, powered by Apple Intelligence, can be applied to almost any photo, creating a parallax effect when the device is moved, and this feature extends to wallpapers on compatible devices.
The lock screen offers extensive customization options, allowing users to reposition widgets (below or above the clock), utilize new clock formats (including a stretched design that relocates widgets to the bottom), and choose from various typography styles. This feature is particularly striking when used with nature photography, as elements can appear to go behind objects like trees.
While notification organization remains largely unchanged and somewhat chaotic, a new Apple Intelligence-powered summary feature condenses notifications. This feature, marked as 'summarized by Apple Intelligence,' has shown mixed accuracy, occasionally providing overly concise or inaccurate summaries. Intriguingly, it demonstrated limited support for summarizing Finglish messages.
The Phone application has been completely redesigned, integrating 'Recents' and 'Voicemail' into a single, more intuitive interface. Additionally, features like 'Hold For Me' and 'Call Announce/Screening' (which automatically screens unknown calls and transcribes their purpose, allowing for text responses or direct answering) have been introduced, although these are currently non-functional in certain regions like Iran.
A dedicated 'Games' application has been introduced, functioning as a game launcher rather than a simple Game Center. It lists downloaded games, includes an Apple Arcade tab, recommends multiplayer titles, and activates a 'Game Mode' for optimization, including achievement support. This marks a significant step for Apple into the gaming industry, with Mac versions of modern games like Cyberpunk 2077 reportedly performing better than their Windows counterparts.
The beta introduces updated icons and a new icon pack, indicating Apple's ongoing experimentation and refinement of its design language. The company appears to be navigating between different aesthetic approaches during the beta phase, with further design changes anticipated before the final release and subsequent minor updates.
iPadOS has become significantly more 'MacBook-like' with radical multitasking improvements. Users can now place and resize multiple applications freely, moving beyond the previous three-app limit. The Stage Manager feature is considerably more effective, especially when connected to an external monitor, and the 'Slide Over' functionality has been removed as it is no longer necessary. New Mac-like tiling systems (via three dots) and an Exposé-like view for all open applications further enhance productivity.
iPadOS now beautifully handles applications not optimized for the iPad, such as Instagram. Instead of displaying large black borders, the wallpaper is visible behind the smaller app window, creating a more aesthetically pleasing experience. Furthermore, a Mac-like menu bar has been integrated for apps, reinforcing the desktop-like feel.
iPadOS gains a Mac-like 'Preview' application, offering robust PDF viewing and editing capabilities, including basic annotation and signature features. The 'Files' application has also been revamped to resemble its macOS counterpart, allowing for folder coloring, placement of folders in the dock for quick access (like a Downloads folder), and improved file organization. The XFAT format is recommended for external storage drives for universal compatibility across macOS, Windows, and iPadOS.
New animations, such as a 'liquid drop' effect for notifications, enhance the visual experience. The Camera application has also been redesigned, showing more significant improvements and features on the iPhone compared to the iPad, where certain exposure controls were not yet accessible.
It is strongly advised against installing any beta version, whether developer or public, on primary devices due to inherent instability and bugs. Users who do install the beta are encouraged to utilize the 'Feedback' application to report issues and contribute to the improvement of future updates.
Apple is slowly but surely making its mark in the gaming world after all these years since its establishment, which is a significant step forward.
| Feature Category | Key Insight | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Beta Stability & Performance | Unstable and Bug-Ridden | Numerous bugs, VPN issues, overheating, performance lags. Not recommended for main devices; wait for 26.1 for stability. |
| Liquid Glass | Visually Appealing, Performance Optimized | Features a beautiful fluid design, but many WWDC animations are pending. Apple prioritizes readability and heavy processing optimization. |
| iPadOS Multitasking | MacBook-like Productivity Boost | Allows unlimited, resizable app windows. Stage Manager is enhanced, especially with external displays, and features Mac-like tiling and Expose-like views. |
| Gaming Integration | Strategic Move into Gaming | A new 'Games' app functions as a launcher with game optimization (Game Mode, achievements). Mac performance for AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 rivals or surpasses Windows. |
| New/Redesigned Core Apps | Enhanced Functionality and UX | The Phone, Photos (with depth feature), Preview (PDF editing), and Files (Mac-like organization, XFAT support) apps are revamped. iMessage gains polls and improved typing indicators. |
| Lock Screen Customization | Increased Personalization | Offers flexible widget placement, new clock styles, typography options, and dynamic depth effects for wallpapers, particularly with nature photos. |
