Ex-Apple Designer Unveils ‘Living Glass’ iOS 26 Concept That Could Transform User Interaction

What will Apple’s iOS 26 redesign look like? Fans and tech enthusiasts alike are eager to know how the next major update will innovate the user interface on iPhones and iPads. Former Apple designer Sebastiaan de With has previewed a visionary concept called “Living Glass” that imagines an iOS interface perfectly reflecting the sleek, glass surfaces of Apple devices. This fresh approach could redefine the way users experience iOS, combining cutting-edge design principles with intuitive, physically responsive UI elements.

With WWDC 2025 just around the corner, de With’s detailed mockups showcase a seamless blend of digital and physical aesthetics. His concept proposes a UI that reacts to environmental lighting and reflections—mirroring the material qualities of Apple’s glass screens. By creating an interface that “feels alive,” this design philosophy aims to make interaction more natural and immersive, offering a user experience aligned with the premium hardware Apple is known for.

Beyond aesthetics, the “Living Glass” concept highlights a shift towards dynamic physicality in user interfaces. Inspired by visionOS innovations, de With envisions iOS 26 adopting real-world behaviors such as light refraction, transparency effects, and tactile visual feedback. These enhancements could boost usability and engagement, making everyday tasks on iPhones feel more intuitive and visually captivating. This approach not only improves visual appeal but also incorporates advanced UI techniques that could elevate Apple’s ecosystem.

Tracing the evolution of iOS from its earliest versions, it’s clear that Apple continually refines its interface to balance simplicity with powerful functionality. The “Living Glass” concept could be the next leap, pushing beyond static designs into a living, breathing system that reacts to the user’s environment and context. For iPhone users and designers alike, this hints at an exciting future where software and hardware blend seamlessly to deliver a premium, next-level mobile experience.

Staying ahead in mobile UI trends means embracing these innovative concepts that promise not just cosmetic changes but fundamentally improved user experiences.