The Liquid Glass design, Apple’s bold new interface introduced with iOS 26, continues to evolve. In beta 7, the visual language sees minor tweaks to its transparency and animation effects. The dynamic reflections and refractions that define Liquid Glass now appear more refined, particularly in the Notification Center, where notifications benefit from improved contrast against the translucent background. This adjustment enhances readability, addressing earlier feedback about text legibility in bright environments.
The Lock Screen also sees enhancements, with the clock’s glass effect becoming more pronounced. The adaptive design, which shifts based on lighting conditions, makes the interface feel more responsive and vibrant. These changes align with Apple’s goal of creating a cohesive, visually engaging experience that feels fresh yet familiar to longtime iPhone users.
Blood Oxygen Feature Returns with a Twist
One of the standout additions in iOS 26 beta 7 is the reintroduction of the Blood Oxygen feature for Apple Watch users in the U.S., paired with iPhone integration. Following a patent dispute with Masimo that led Apple to disable this feature in 2024, the company has rolled out a redesigned version for Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models. Users can now initiate a Blood Oxygen session directly from the app on their watch, with results syncing seamlessly to the iPhone’s Health app.
This update leverages the watch’s sensors to provide accurate readings, offering a valuable tool for users monitoring their wellness. The feature’s return is a win for health-conscious consumers, though its availability is limited to newer Apple Watch models, requiring some users to upgrade to take advantage.
Camera and Photos App Enhancements
The Camera app receives a practical update in beta 7, with a refined toggle for switching shooting modes. Earlier betas introduced complaints about the swipe direction for mode changes, and Apple has responded by fine-tuning the interface for smoother transitions. This tweak makes it easier to navigate between photo, video, and portrait modes, streamlining the experience for casual photographers and content creators alike.
In the Photos app, the two-tabbed design introduced earlier in iOS 26—splitting “Library” and “Collections”—gets further polish. Beta 7 optimizes the interface for faster navigation, with smoother transitions between tabs and improved performance when browsing large photo libraries. These changes reflect Apple’s response to user feedback, balancing accessibility with the app’s comprehensive feature set.
Performance and Stability Take Center Stage
As iOS 26 nears its public release, beta 7 shifts focus to under-the-hood improvements. Apple has prioritized stability, addressing bugs reported in earlier betas. Users can expect faster app launches and smoother animations, particularly on devices like the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series, which support the full suite of Apple Intelligence features. The update also optimizes battery performance, with a new animation for low battery alerts at 10% and 20%, making warnings more visually engaging without disrupting the user experience.
For developers, beta 7 includes updates to APIs that enhance compatibility with Apple Intelligence, ensuring apps can leverage AI-driven features like real-time text translation and photo editing. These improvements make the Mac Mini a strong choice for developers building apps within Apple’s ecosystem.
Apple Music’s AI-Powered Edge
Apple Music continues to differentiate itself with iOS 26’s AI-driven features. Beta 7 refines the AutoMix capability, which uses machine learning to analyze audio characteristics and create seamless song transitions. This feature mimics a DJ-like experience, making playlists feel more dynamic for casual listeners. Additionally, the Lyrics Pronunciation tool, which helps users sing along to foreign-language songs, sees performance tweaks for faster loading and more accurate translations.
These enhancements position Apple Music as a strong competitor to services like Spotify, offering a polished, AI-enhanced listening experience that integrates deeply with the iPhone’s ecosystem.
Preparing for the Public Launch
With iOS 26 expected to launch in mid-September alongside the iPhone 17 lineup, beta 7 is likely one of the final developer previews. The update’s focus on stability and minor refinements suggests Apple is ironing out kinks to ensure a smooth rollout. While major feature additions are unlikely at this stage, the beta cycle has already introduced significant changes, from the Liquid Glass redesign to AI-driven tools that enhance productivity and creativity.
For users considering the public beta, available as version 4, the experience mirrors beta 7’s changes but may include minor differences in stability. Those eager to try iOS 26 can sign up at beta.apple.com, though Apple advises caution due to potential bugs that could affect device performance.
