That iOS 26 is generating less enthusiasm than other major iOS versions This is now evident in more than just isolated comments on social media and forums. Adoption data that has been released indicates that, at this point in the year, there are fewer iPhones with iOS 26 installed than there were with iOS 18 at the same time.
A recent report by the firm SellCell puts numbers to this situation and, above all, attempts to clarify What is holding back a large portion of users from updating?The study confirms that old concerns are recurring—performance, battery life—but a new factor is also emerging: the rejection of Liquid Glass, the design language that Apple has extended to all its systems.
The reasons for the low iOS 26 installation rate, according to SellCell
SellCell's work is based on a survey of approximately 2.000 iPhone ownersA modest sample from a statistical point of view, but sufficient to detect clear trends. Approximately 22% of those surveyed admit that they have not yet upgraded to iOS 26 despite owning a compatible device, a figure that aligns with the perception of slower adoption.
What is most striking is that The main explanation is not technical, but informational.28% of participants admitted they didn't even know iOS 26 was available, despite the update having been circulating for months. In other words, many phones remain on older versions simply because their owners are unaware of the new feature or haven't paid attention to the update notification.
Contrary to the idea that everyone is avoiding iOS 26 because of the visual changes, the report clarifies that Liquid Glass is not at the top of the list of reasons not to upgradeThe new interface appears further down, as a relevant but not determining cause, which puts the focus on other more classic factors such as battery life or the fear of losing performance.
From Europe, where the iPhone market is very large and varied, this data fits with what is seen on a daily basis: Many everyday users prioritize stability and “that everything keeps working" rather than launching new features or a refreshed look, delaying the update until they feel it is "safe".
In any case, until Apple publishes official adoption figures, It will not be possible to know exactly to what extent iOS 26 is actually behind iOS 18For now, external studies only allow us to draw a trend, but do not offer a definitive picture of the user base.
Liquid Glass: doubts, rejection, and adjustments to make it more bearable
Liquid Glass, the new design language that Apple has rolled out across iOS, iPadOS, and its other platforms, is one of the elements generating the most debate. Among those surveyed, a significant group expressed a certain aversion to the transparencies and overlays of this interfaceto the point of postponing the installation for fear of not feeling comfortable with the result.
A recurring concern relates to legibility: many users fear that, with so much translucent effect, reading the text and key elements of the screen becomes more difficultAdded to this is the feeling that the system does not allow completely disabling the new style, something that makes those who prefer a more classic and less cluttered look hesitate.
Apple has responded to these criticisms with several rounds of adjustments. In iOS 26.0, the company introduced a dark, semi-transparent overlay on notifications that It makes it easier to read the notices without the background being distracting.It doesn't represent a radical change in the visual language, but it does reduce one of the most problematic aspects of the initial experience.
With the arrival of iOS 26.1, new options appeared for those who hadn't quite gotten used to intense transparencies. The system now offers a mode with a more translucent and less aggressive style than the original Liquid GlassThis helps to better distinguish buttons and text, especially on screens with many overlapping elements.
Version 26.2 took it a step further by adding a specific control to regulate the intensity of the transparenciesThis is useful for making the time on the lock screen or certain system elements more visible. Additionally, from the accessibility settings, you can activate an option that further softens effects and backgrounds, designed for both people with visual impairments and those who prefer a more understated aesthetic.
With all these changes, Liquid Glass is still present, but It's easier to adapt it to different tastes and prevent the interface from hindering reading.For those who were hesitating precisely for this reason, these options may be a turning point when deciding whether or not to upgrade to iOS 26.
Performance and battery life: the usual fears with every major upgrade
Beyond design, the SellCell study reflects that a significant portion of users who resist updating do so because fear that the iPhone will perform worse or that the battery will last less timeThese are arguments that are repeated with practically every major version of iOS, and iOS 26 is no exception.
Among reluctant users, around a quarter cite these two factors in one way or another. Something like 23-24% say that He prefers to stay where he is rather than risk losing fluency or autonomyalthough I haven't yet had a specific bad experience with iOS 26.
Performance tests published in recent weeks suggest that, in many recent models, iOS 26 maintains or even slightly improves speed compared to previous versions.That doesn't mean that, in the hours or days following a large installation, minor glitches may not occur while the system finishes indexing data and reorganizing background processes.
Something similar happens with the battery. The early stages of iOS 26 were marked by higher than usual fuel consumption, especially in the early versionsAs iOS 26.2 and iOS 26.2.1 have been released, the general feeling is that energy usage has stabilized and there are no longer such sharp drops in daily battery life, always with the logical variations depending on the type of use.
In any case, the experience is not homogeneous. Each device, combination of apps, and usage pattern paints a different picture.So what one user perceives as an improvement, another might see as a step backward. This uncertainty partly explains why many Spaniards and Europeans wait to hear opinions from those around them before clicking the update button.
The clean installation option for those who notice problems
For cases where the jump to iOS 26.2.1 hasn't gone as smoothly as expected, there's a slightly more laborious alternative to a direct update: perform a clean installation of the systemThis procedure involves restoring the iPhone to factory settings and setting it up as if it were a new device, while keeping the same Apple account.
It's a process that requires time and patience because it involves downloading all the applications again and rebuild certain custom settings from scratchHowever, since it relies on iCloud to sync data, the user doesn't have to lose important information: calendars, notes, reminders, photos, and videos remain in the cloud and reappear when the same account is reactivated.
The advantage of this longer path is that It removes many temporary files and remnants of previous versions. that accumulate over the years. This invisible "backlog" can be the source of occasional errors, unexpected app closures, or abnormal battery behavior, so starting with a clean system helps to isolate problems.
In some cases, after a few days of normal use with a clean installation, The system itself recalculates the battery health and better adjusts consumptionIf after that time the phone continues to behave strangely, it's easier to determine whether the problem lies with the hardware or a specific application and ask for help from Apple technical support or [the relevant department/company]. official operator service.
Staying on iOS 18 remains a viable and safe alternative
While some users are hesitant about iOS 26, Apple has opted for continue to take care of those who prefer to stay on iOS 18Alongside the rollout of iOS 26.2.1, the company has released iOS 18.7.4, an update focused primarily on the to maximise security and your enjoyment..
This version is designed, on the one hand, to Models like the iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR, which are no longer part of the main iOS 26 cycleAnd on the other hand, for those who have the option to upgrade to the new version but choose not to for now. In both cases, iOS 18.7.4 introduces patches that address recent vulnerabilities and reduce the device's exposure to potential attacks.
For many iPhone owners in Spain and the rest of Europe, this middle ground is quite attractive: continue receiving critical fixes without adopting the aesthetic and functional changes of iOS 26In this way, they can postpone the upgrade decision for a few more months without sacrificing a certain level of protection.
In the background, and following an iOS 26 launch marked by various bugs that have required several revisions, Apple appears to be preparing a smoother transition to iOS 27Everything points to the next major version focusing on introducing new artificial intelligence features without significantly altering the visual aspect, with the aim of offering greater stability from day one.
For the average user, the current situation can be summarized as a delicate balance: On the one hand, there are the advantages of upgrading to a more modern and secure system.On the other hand, there are the doubts surrounding a new design language like Liquid Glass and the recurring concerns about performance and battery life. Among those who have already made the switch and those who prefer to remain on iOS 18 for now, the common denominator is the same: increasingly, people are scrutinizing when and how to install a major iOS update, especially in Europe, where many iPhones have a lifespan several years beyond the typical product lifecycle.
