Last year, Apple aimed for a unified aesthetic across all its platforms – iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even the revolutionary Vision Pro. A single version number, a consistent design language. But the ambitious “Liquid Glass” visual overhaul didn’t land as intended, quickly attracting criticism and a rather unflattering nickname.
What began as grumbling from a vocal minority has now solidified into a quantifiable problem. Recent data reveals a startling trend: adoption rates for the latest operating system, iOS 26, are dramatically lower than previous years. It’s a significant departure from Apple’s usual seamless updates.
January 2026 data paints a clear picture. A mere 18.1 percent of iPhone users have embraced iOS 26. In stark contrast, over four times that number – a staggering 79.58 percent – are still operating on various versions of iOS 18. The breakdown is revealing:
iOS 18.7: 33.81%
iOS 18.6: 25.2%
iOS 26.1: 10.57%
iOS 18.5: 5.56%
iOS 26.2: 4.62%
iOS 16.7: 2.23%
iOS 15.8: 1.76%
Other: 16.24%
To understand the gravity of the situation, consider this: a year prior, in January 2025, the latest iOS version, 18.1, boasted an impressive 46.82% adoption rate. Combined with iOS 18.2 at 12.88%, the newest iterations already reached 77.1% of users at the same point in its release cycle.
While a sluggish update rate doesn’t directly impact Apple’s bottom line – updates are free, after all – the implications are far more profound. Apple doesn’t just want users *on* the latest OS; they need them there. Security is paramount, with the newest versions containing critical patches. But beyond security, Apple values a unified user experience and the marketing power of a consistent, modern image.
For years, Apple has carefully curated the iPhone experience, resisting extensive customization to maintain control over its brand aesthetic. They believe in a specific interface, a carefully crafted presentation. A low adoption rate undermines that control, fracturing the visual landscape of their ecosystem.
The evidence strongly suggests that the controversial Liquid Glass design is a major contributing factor to this reluctance to update. However, it’s important to note that the aesthetic isn’t set in stone. Users can mitigate the most jarring elements within the Settings app, under Display & Brightness, offering a degree of personalization.
This situation presents a challenge for Apple. It’s a clear signal that a design choice, intended to unify and modernize, has instead created resistance and a fractured user base. The company now faces the task of understanding why, and potentially recalibrating its approach to ensure future updates are met with enthusiasm, not hesitation.
