Apple Releases iOS 26 Developer Beta 3
On July 7, 2025, Apple rolled out the third developer beta of iOS 26 (build 23A5287g), marking a key step toward the public beta due later this month 0.
Liquid Glass Design Gets Frosted
The much‑talked‑about Liquid Glass aesthetic introduced at WWDC has been dialed back. iOS 26 Beta 3 darkens navigation bars, buttons, tabs, and notification backgrounds—boosting readability by reducing transparency 1. Mixed reactions emerged: while designers like Allan Yu argue the original vision has been diluted, others laud the enhanced contrast and accessibility 2.
New Wallpapers & Lock‑Screen Features
Four fresh wallpaper themes—Dusk, Halo, Shadow, and Sky—join the lineup, alongside new blue and purple hues, with distinctive dark‑mode variations 3. Additionally, Beta 3 introduces a subtle dynamic animation for the lock‑screen clock and ensures widgets remain persistently visible 4.
Minor Tweaks & Practical Fixes
Performance enhancements and bug fixes hit several fronts: smoother animations, prevention of iPad sleep during external‑display video calls, resolution of App Library freezing, and correction of charging‑limit and dock‑alignment issues 5. Additionally, natural‑language Maps search (“coffee with good Wi‑Fi”) and streamlined screenshot workflows improve usability 6.
Who Should Install Beta 3?
Available to registered developers via Settings → General → Software Update 7. While benchmarks show enhanced speed and stability, beta software may still suffer battery and app‑crash irregularities. Experts recommend waiting for public beta if using a primary device 8.
Trivia & Key Facts
- iOS 26 drops support for devices with Apple’s A12 chip (iPhone XS, XR) and older 9.
- Liquid Glass ranks among the top standout features, earning nearly 49% of the “most exciting feature” votes in a TechRadar poll 10.
- The developer beta series began on June 9; Beta 3 may serve as the final release candidate before public beta in mid‑July 11.
With sharper visuals, fresh customization options, and essential usability improvements, iOS 26 Beta 3 brings Apple one step closer to its September public release—offering a sneak peek at the next evolution of the iPhone user experience.
Source: Geeky-gadgets