3 explanation why I am not upgrading to iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 on day one

Sizzling off the heels of Apple’s huge iPhone 17 series keynote, we have confirmation that iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are releasing to the general public on September 15. Launching alongside macOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26, these next-generation working methods are set to debut with an all-new ‘ Liquid Glass‘ design language, a number of main app updates, and, within the case of the iPad, a re-engineered window administration system.

Whereas I am pretty desperate to obtain and set up macOS 26 on my 24-inch iMac subsequent week, I am coy about updating my iPhone 15 Pro and my iPad mini 6 to their respective platform releases. I am usually an early adopter of recent software program updates, however, this time round, I feel I will be sitting out the preliminary hype in favor of a smoother improve expertise as soon as the mud has settled in a couple of weeks.

Listed below are three explanation why I’ve determined to carry off on updating to Apple’s latest-and-greatest working methods — no less than for the short-to-medium-term future.

1

Liquid Glass is a piece in progress

Apple’s new software program design language remains to be tough across the edges

For probably the most half, I am a fan of Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language. The added sense of fabric depth, the reactive and extra playful animations, and the superior reflectivity are a breath of contemporary air within the software program world, whereas on the similar time harkening again to the nice outdated days of Microsoft’s Windows Vista and seven releases on PC.

Nonetheless, not all the pieces is sunshine and rainbows, even in a local weather as heat and Mediterranean as that of Cupertino’s. The very fact of the matter is that, like with different broad-stroke software program redesigns earlier than it, Liquid Glass is an energetic work in progress. Early visibility issues regarding poor consumer interface distinction have been addressed in successive beta releases, however some parts nonetheless really feel like they want some additional tweaking and smoothing out.

As with iOS 7 earlier than it, which was formidable and but flawed in preliminary execution, I think about Apple will proceed to iron out the rougher edges of Liquid Glass in subsequent updates to return. I reckon that the longer I wait earlier than leaping onto the Liquid Glass bandwagon, the extra refined and nice the expertise will probably be once I do finally carry out the improve.

2

Battery life is a priority

All these UI reflections and refractions come at a price

One other concern I’ve with each iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 is to do with battery life. Apple’s new platforms are stuffed with dynamic glass-like reflective and refractive properties, that are technically very spectacular, however they virtually definitely devour extra battery than the standard gaussian blur impact utilized in iOS 18 and iPadOS 26.

Many a beta tester has commented on poor battery endurance submit replace, although this too has seemed to be bettering as new beta releases have been seeded out by Apple. If main software program updates from earlier years are to go by, then it is probably that plenty of additional effectivity optimizations will probably be applied post-launch, leaving me in no rush to hit the replace button on day one.

3

I am going to miss Slide Over an excessive amount of

iPad window administration won’t ever be the identical

iPadOS 26 is a significant leap ahead for iPad, introducing key options that make Apple’s pill more Mac-like than ever before. Alongside an improved cursor, a greater Information app, and a devoted Menu Bar, the corporate has completely rearchitected its windowing system as a way to supply a extra versatile end-user expertise.

Apple’s new window administration system is slightly wonderful — not solely does it enable for rather more granular resizing and repositioning of energetic utility home windows, however it works on extra iPad fashions than ever earlier than, together with the pint-sized iPad mini. Sadly, this transition course of has resulted in a single casualty: the elimination of the Slide Over operate I’ve come to depend on in recent times.

Slide Over lets you create a separate carousel of iPhone-sized app home windows that may be manipulated, stashed off-screen, and positioned on high of different full-screen apps at any time. I discover Slide Over exceptionally helpful for quick-access to the calculator, my Philips Hue smart light controller, in addition to chat threads. As a lot as I need to reap the advantages of PC-grade window administration on my iPad mini, I additionally do not need to forfeit Slide Over within the course of.