Recently, Apple unveiled the third developer beta version of iOS 26, marking the first significant update to the beta since June. The release suggests that the public version of the beta is on the horizon, especially considering Apple’s confirmation of a July rollout. This latest beta features fewer modifications than its predecessor, signifying Apple’s intent to enhance the operating system’s stability before it reaches the public domain.

Despite the limited addition of new features in this beta, there are notable highlights worth discussing, as detailed by MacRumors. Here’s a summary of the latest updates:

iOS 26 introduces numerous features, but a major talking point has been Liquid Glass, Apple’s sweeping redesign affecting all its systems.

The Liquid Glass concept aims to present Apple’s user interface with a glass-like aesthetic. Menus, buttons, and app icons simulate clear transparency, creating an illusion of being crafted from actual glass. The ‘liquid’ aspect enhances interactivity, allowing these glass elements to morph and shift as users engage with them, altering reflections in response.

While the initial iteration captivated many fans, it also faced criticism for compromising readability. In response, Apple adjusted the transparency level in the second beta, improving visibility against complex backgrounds, yet somewhat straying from the original vision presented during WWDC.

In beta 3, it appears that Apple’s design team is striving to enhance legibility further, resulting in a product that diverges significantly from its initial concept. Many elements now exhibit a ‘frosted’ effect, which, while readable in diverse contexts, lacks the striking glass impression that the original design promised.

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The shift has drawn mixed reactions, with many expressing disappointment over the diminished impact of iOS 26’s most ambitious feature. One user even proposed a hypothetical Liquid Glass slider for Apple, suggesting this would empower users to customize their transparency settings.

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Initially, the default wallpaper for iOS 26 was limited to a single blue variant. However, with the arrival of beta 3, users can now select from four unique wallpapers, featuring three shades of blue—Halo, Sky, and Shadow—alongside a new option called Dusk that showcases a blend of purple and pink hues.

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Though it’s not directly tied to iOS 26, the third beta of iPadOS 26 introduces an intriguing feature from macOS: by shaking the cursor, it temporarily enlarges, similar to the experience on a Mac. This enhancement simplifies locating the cursor if it becomes misplaced.

Users of offline maps in Apple Maps will benefit from fog advisories introduced in beta 3. Additionally, this update continues to expand upon the new “commute delays” feature.

The connectivity toggles (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, and Cellular) within the Control Center have undergone a color update, with brighter shades of blue and green now in effect. Though minor, this change indicates Apple’s ongoing commitment to refinement.

Currently, as indicated earlier, iOS 26 remains in developer beta. Although anyone can install it by registering their Apple account with Apple’s developer program, it is advisable to wait for the public beta release. Developer betas are designed primarily for developers aiming to test their applications on the latest OS, and given that these builds are in their least stable version even after three updates, users may encounter bugs that could disrupt their experience or even risk data loss if adequate backups are not in place.

The same considerations apply to public betas, though Apple typically mitigates the most glaring issues before their release. For those curious about the current Liquid Glass aesthetics or interested in exploring other new features of iOS 26, it is recommended to wait until the public beta is made available, which is expected to launch sometime this month.