Apple Introduces ‘Liquid Glass’ in iOS 26; Users Claim It’s ‘Similar’ to Windows Vista Aero

During its annual WWDC 2025 event, Apple unveiled iOS 26, showcasing what it termed its ‘most immersive and responsive UI’—a comprehensive visual overhaul known as Liquid Glass. This update features real-time rendering, dynamic reflections, and glass-like textures, marking Apple’s most dramatic design transformation since iOS 7.

However, instead of cheers, it became fodder for online jokes, with the tech community on social media expressing their disapproval.

iOS 26 introduces Liquid Glass
Reports indicate that Liquid Glass redefines the user interface with translucent layers, curved edges, and fluid animations. Apple claims that this new design adapts in real-time to various lighting conditions, giving users a more ‘alive, ambient’ experience.

Apple stated that Liquid Glass builds on a history of translucent design, drawing inspiration from MacOS X’s Aqua (2001) to the Big Sur update in 2020.

Comparisons to Windows Vista’s Aero are drawn

Following the announcement, social media users quickly compared it to Windows Vista’s Aero Glass interface, a translucent design introduced by Microsoft nearly two decades ago.

A user on X (formerly Twitter) admitted they were no “design expert” but commented, “Apple’s Liquid Glass = Windows Vista Aero 2.0.”

I’m not a design expert.

Apple’s Liquid Glass =

Windows Vista Aero 2.0.

I know, I know. “Everything old is new again”.

But this just seems like a glossy, lame fraud.

Read: shameless rip-off pawned as innovation.

This is nostalgia slathered in Cupertino polish.

Callback to… pic.twitter.com/ZNyaIWN9Ep

— Farooq (SF Ali) ????????️Ⓜ️ (@sfali789) June 9, 2025

Another user shared a Windows Vista Aero screenshot, commenting, “Can’t wait to use liquid glass on my Mac!”

Can’t wait to use “liquid glass” on my mac!#WWDC25 #WWDC2025 #wwdc pic.twitter.com/JryK0MIrIR

— Anthony Garone (@atgarone) June 9, 2025

A user named Morning Brew simply captioned ‘Liquid Glass’ and posted two images. One compared Windows Vista to Apple’s ‘Liquid Glass’ UI, while the other showed a dialogue that read, “I was looking through some old photos, and they looked very uhh…similar.”

“Liquid Glass” pic.twitter.com/LRahrcinA6

— Morning Brew ☕️ (@MorningBrew) June 9, 2025

One user posted side-by-side images of Apple’s Liquid Glass and Windows Vista Aero, remarking, “Liquid Glass… welcome back Aero Glass.”

Liquid Glass…

welcome back Aero Glass #WWDC25 ???? pic.twitter.com/JcDXnGGmoE

— Pavloh (@ImPavloh) June 9, 2025

What tech experts say

In an article for The Verge, David Pierce noted that one cannot view Liquid Glass “without considering Windows Aero.” He observed that both share a “glassy and translucent design language.”

Pierce argued that both Liquid Glass and Windows Aero were valuable concepts focusing on personalization and customization, helping users navigate their devices.

Wes Fenlon, Senior Editor at PC Gamer, referred to Liquid Glass as ‘Apple Aero,’ stating: “Apple unveiled its new ‘Liquid Glass’ design, which will dominate in the upcoming iOS 26 and MacOS 26—something we used to call Windows Aero back in the late 2000s.”

Fenlon also mentioned that Microsoft had similar ideas nearly 18 years ago, saying, “Apple may claim Liquid Glass ‘merges the optical properties of glass with a fluidity unique to Apple,’ but I’m skeptical.”

“Apple Aero looks nice! Just as nice as when Microsoft finally enhanced Vista’s glass interface and perfected it with their classic OS, Windows 7,” he added.