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A Refreshed Design with “Liquid Glass”
One of the first things users will notice upon opening the app is that Photos has adopted the new “Liquid Glass” visual language introduced with iOS 26. This design features a translucent and fluid aesthetic that continues to be a visual hallmark of the upcoming system.
Buttons, tabs, and contextual menus now all display this translucent, fluid effect. Apple has applied it more subtly than in other apps to keep the focus on the photos and videos, yet it’s still a noticeable change for users.
“Spatializing” Photos
Drawing inspiration from visionOS 2, the Spatial Scene feature is now available on the iPhone. A button in the upper right corner allows users to transform any photo into a spatial scene with a depth effect. This feature works best in portrait mode and with certain perspectives.
Simply click on it, and a multicolored halo themed around Apple Intelligence will overlay the photo. This serves a dual purpose: exploring images from different angles and using them as interactive wallpapers for the lock screen in iOS 26.
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The Return of Tab-Based Navigation
One of the most controversial decisions from the iOS 18 redesign was the removal of the tab bar in favor of an all-in-one interface. After much user feedback, Apple has partially reversed this decision. This compromise reintroduces some order to the interface while keeping recent additions.
• Library: works as before, for quickly browsing all your images.
• Collections: groups the customizable sections introduced last year.
• Search: for quickly finding photos and videos.
More Customization in Displaying Your Library
Apple is enhancing the customization of Collections. There are now three display modes (small, large, or a default mix). It’s also possible to expand or collapse certain sections to streamline navigation. These options, accessible via the three dots menu, allow better organization of your photo stream on a daily basis.
With iOS 26, users have access to additional sub-menus to choose the right display (here in the classic library).
A More Measured, Yet Welcome Update
Less dramatic than the iOS 18 overhaul, the iOS 26 update to Photos opts for gradual improvements and a return to fundamentals. With visual modernization, novel functions, and course corrections, Apple appears committed to reassuring users after a year of significant changes.
Explore all the new features of iOS 26 (beta 2)
Explore all the new features of iOS 26 (beta 3)
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