iOS 26 Beta 2: Apple Polishes Liquid Glass, Adds Live Radio Widget and Smarter Wallet

1. Liquid Glass Refined: A Balance Between Beauty and Clarity

The original Liquid Glass design in iOS 26 introduced a futuristic, translucent visual language that felt more immersive and dynamic. However, many early users criticized it for being too transparent, making icons hard to read and background content distracting.

In Beta 2, Apple strikes a better balance:

• Increased opacity for control panels and notification banners

• Sharper contrast around icons for improved readability

• Smoother blur transitions across different layers of the UI

This makes the experience both visually appealing and more functional. Control Center in particular is easier on the eyes, especially in bright lighting or dark mode.

2. Live Radio Widget Debuts on the Home Screen

One of the standout features of Beta 2 is the Live Radio widget, designed for music lovers. Now, right from your home screen, you can:

• Stream Apple Music’s 24/7 stations like Music 1, Hits, Chill, or Country

• View currently playing shows and schedules

• Control playback without opening the Music app

The widget comes in multiple sizes and integrates seamlessly with the redesigned Apple Music app. It’s ideal for users who prefer real-time music discovery over playlists.

3. Safari Improvements: Classic Touches Return

Safari receives minor but welcome changes:

• The “New Tab” button has been moved back to the bottom-left in the tab overview screen, aligning with older designs for muscle-memory users.

• Contextual menus have been simplified, making it easier to share pages, manage bookmarks, or request desktop sites.

While not revolutionary, these tweaks reflect Apple’s attention to user feedback.

4. Ringtone Expansion: Familiar Sounds, Fresh Feel

A new variation of the popular “Reflection” ringtone is included, giving users more audio personalization. This version feels modern yet nostalgic, blending electronic tones with natural ambiance. It’s a small change, but a refreshing one for those who like to customize their phone’s personality.

5. Wallet Intelligence: Smarter Order Tracking

The Wallet app now taps into emails and messages to automatically track online orders, pulling shipping info and delivery updates in real time. This feature helps consolidate purchase data into one central location.

Users no longer need to forward tracking numbers or switch between apps—Wallet does it all quietly in the background, thanks to on-device intelligence.

6. Accessibility Upgrades and UI Legibility

Apple has doubled down on accessibility:

• A new “Reduce Transparency” toggle helps users who struggle with the visual complexity of Liquid Glass.

• High Contrast mode enhances edge outlines and button borders.

• Font sizes are now more adaptive across settings and system alerts.

The result is a more inclusive interface that serves users with various visual needs while maintaining the sleek aesthetics of iOS 26.

7. Save Call Transcripts: Transparency Meets Technology

The previously announced Call Transcription feature has been renamed Save Call Transcripts, and now includes:

• An audible notification at the beginning of recorded calls

• Secure on-device processing for privacy

• Integration with Notes and Messages for easy reference

It’s ideal for interviews, meetings, or capturing important conversations legally and ethically.

8. Low Power Mode Transparency

Beta 2 adds more detailed descriptions to Low Power Mode settings. Users are now informed exactly what features are being limited:

• Screen refresh rate is reduced

• Background app refresh is paused

• Mail fetch, 5G, and iCloud sync are temporarily disabled

This clear breakdown empowers users to decide when and how to use Low Power Mode strategically, especially during travel or emergencies.

9. System Stability and Bug Fixes

As expected, Beta 2 resolves a number of annoying bugs from the first developer release:

• Lock Screen widgets no longer clash with Focus Mode banners

• AirPlay connection issues have been resolved, ensuring smoother transitions between devices

• Recovery mode now provides more helpful instructions and self-repair prompts

Animations across the system feel slightly faster and more fluid. App launch times have also improved, particularly for Messages, Safari, and Settings.

10. What’s Next?

Looking ahead, Apple will likely use future beta updates to:

• Finalize its Apple Intelligence integrations (AI-powered features in Messages, Notes, and Siri)

• Refine Liquid Glass effects across iPadOS and macOS for a more unified design system

• Add more widgets and dynamic content to the Lock Screen and StandBy Mode

• Introduce new emoji, AirDrop improvements, and journaling suggestions

As public beta testing opens in July, Apple is expected to make even more optimizations based on broader user feedback.

The Bigger Picture: Is iOS 26 Worth the Hype?

iOS 26 marks a significant design and usability shift. The first beta showcased ambition; Beta 2 brings that vision closer to a practical reality. With better legibility, more music-centric features, and deeper intelligence in Wallet and Phone, Apple is building a system that not only looks beautiful—but works beautifully, too.

If you’re someone who enjoys visual innovation and music streaming, or if you rely on Apple’s native apps for productivity and organization, the changes in iOS 26 Beta 2 are meaningful.

 A More Polished, Purposeful Update

iOS 26 Beta 2 doesn’t just fix bugs—it clarifies Apple’s design direction and deepens the utility of its ecosystem. While not every feature is game-changing on its own, together they form a thoughtful, refined user experience.

Whether you’re an early adopter or planning to wait for the stable release, this update shows that Apple is listening, adapting, and evolving. It’s not just about aesthetic delight anymore—it’s about smart simplicity.