Apple's Liquid Glass is like Windows Vista but executed well

Apple reinvents Glass with Liquid Glass UI, improving on Windows Vista's flaws.

: Apple's Liquid Glass UI offers a significant visual update reminiscent of Windows Vista's Aero design, featuring transparency and glass-like effects but executed more effectively. Apple's advances have addressed Vista's shortcomings, such as performance issues and high GPU requirements, through superior hardware and gradual UI updates over the years. Liquid Glass in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 maintains a familiar user experience while adding new styling elements, although reactions are mixed among users and critics. There is potential for Apple to refine the design based on user feedback, with the new operating systems scheduled for release in the fall.

Apple's new Liquid Glass UI takes inspiration from Windows Vista’s Aero design but delivers it with far more polish and performance. While Vista introduced the idea of transparent, frosted-glass effects, its implementation was hampered by high GPU demands and laggy responsiveness. In contrast, Liquid Glass is fluid, optimized, and deeply integrated across Apple’s ecosystem.

Liquid Glass enhances transparency and layering using modern rendering techniques. It dynamically adapts blur and lighting effects based on context and motion, giving interfaces a sense of depth without compromising speed. This is a major leap beyond Aero's more static and resource-intensive visuals.

The design spans macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and visionOS, creating a consistent visual identity across Apple devices. Users and analysts alike note that the aesthetic feels unified and refined—less like a throwback and more like a matured design language. Some describe it as “Vista done right.”

However, not all feedback has been glowing. A few users point out issues with readability and contrast, especially in low-light settings where translucency can obscure content. These critiques echo past complaints about Aero, suggesting Apple may need to adjust or offer more control over transparency levels.

Overall, Liquid Glass is a modern reinterpretation of a classic idea—offering the elegance of Aero without the baggage. It reflects Apple’s approach to design: taking old ideas, reworking them with current technology, and embedding them seamlessly into its ecosystem.

Sources: Business Insider, Times of India, The Verge