Balancing Innovation and Familiarity for a Seamless User Experience

Apple’s Photos app has undergone a significant transformation in iOS 26, blending a handful of new features with a return to familiar navigation. Following the major redesign introduced in the previous year, this latest update aims to strike a balance between cutting-edge innovation and user-centric familiarity.

One of the most prominent changes is the incorporation of the ‘Liquid Glass’ design language, which has been implemented across Apple’s entire app ecosystem this year. In the Photos app, this design aesthetic is evident in the revamped UI elements, including buttons, navigation tabs, and popup menus.

While the visual overhaul is not as extensive as in some other apps, the ‘Liquid Glass’ touch adds a sleek and modern flair that is hard to miss.

Perhaps the most significant change, however, is the return of the beloved tab bar navigation. After facing substantial user feedback following the drastic single-screen UI introduced in iOS 18, Apple has listened and brought back the familiar tab bar structure.

The app now features three main tabs: Library, which operates similarly to previous versions; Collections, which houses the new customizable sections; and a spatialized photo view, a feature first introduced in visionOS 2.

The spatialized photo feature is a standout addition, allowing users to view their images with a sense of depth and dimension. By tapping a button in the top-right corner, users can enter a ‘Spatial Scene’ mode, which enables them to pan around the photo and explore different perspectives.

Complementing the navigation changes, the Collections tab has also received a boost in customization options. Users can now choose to make all collections uniform in size, either all small or all large, or maintain the default layout that highlights certain sections more prominently. Additionally, the ability to temporarily collapse specific sections should enhance the overall user experience.

While the iOS 26 update for the Photos app may not be as feature-packed as the previous year’s overhaul, the focus on balancing innovation and familiarity is a strategic move that is likely to resonate with users.

By incorporating the sleek ‘Liquid Glass’ design, reintroducing the beloved tab bar, and expanding customization options, Apple has crafted an experience that feels both fresh and comfortable, setting the stage for a seamless and enjoyable photo management journey.