Decoding iPhone’s "Liquid Glass": Not a

Decoding iPhone's "Liquid Glass": Not a Hardware Material, but a Software Visual Revolution

 

In discussions about Apple's product technology, "Liquid Glass" is often misunderstood as a new type of screen hardware material, or even confused with "liquid metal." In reality, however, the "Liquid Glass" introduced by Apple at WWDC2025 is essentially a software-level visual design language that only functions in system interface interactions and has no connection to the physical screen material of the iPhone. Today, we'll clarify this concept thoroughly and break down its core uses and value.

 

First, it's crucial to establish a key understanding: iPhone's "Liquid Glass" is neither a protective coating applied to the screen surface nor a new glass material replacing the Ceramic Shield. The actual hardware Apple uses for iPhone screens is the Ceramic Shield—a strengthened glass infused with zirconia and alumina, whose core function is to enhance the screen's drop and scratch resistance, making it a tangible physical material. In contrast, "Liquid Glass" is a fully virtual digital design solution that exists only in the interface displays of systems like iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The two belong to entirely different categories: software and hardware.

 

From the perspective of practical application scenarios, the value of Liquid Glass focuses on three dimensions: system UI design, visual effect presentation, and cross-device adaptation. In terms of UI design, it completely reconstructs the system's interface elements: icons are no longer fixed flat color blocks but feature a glass-like translucent texture, with edges showing subtle luster changes as light shifts; controls such as buttons, navigation bars, and folders have also shed their traditional rigid borders, presenting a lightweight "floating glass" feel. When clicked, they even simulate the light ripple feedback of pressed glass, creating a more immersive interactive experience.

 

At the level of visual effects, the core highlights of Liquid Glass lie in "dynamism" and "authenticity." Through algorithms, it can simulate the refraction and reflection properties of glass: when the device is tilted, interface elements display different light flows as the angle changes, mimicking the texture of real glass under light; the clock on the lock screen not only shows the time but also dynamically expands or contracts with changes in minutes and hours. Combined with the light and shadow of the background wallpaper, it creates a visually rich layered effect. Additionally, it supports a "Full Transparency Mode"—when enabled, the system interface fades completely, leaving only core operation controls. Whether you're streaming videos, browsing images, or viewing documents, this mode maximizes focus on content and minimizes visual distractions from interface elements.

 

In terms of cross-device adaptation, Liquid Glass aligns well with the "consistency" philosophy of the Apple ecosystem. Whether it's the small-screen iPhone SE, the large-screen iPhone 15 Pro Max, the landscape mode of the iPad, or the desktop interface of the MacBook, the Liquid Glass design language seamlessly adapts to the screen sizes and forms of different devices: controls automatically adjust their size and layout according to the screen ratio, and the rounded corner radius matches the screen's rounded design of each device. This avoids visual fragmentation when switching between devices, allowing users to quickly adapt to the interface operation logic when moving between different Apple devices.

 

Beyond basic functions, Liquid Glass also features "intelligent responsiveness." It can real-time detect changes in ambient light: in bright daytime conditions, the interface transparency decreases to ensure controls are clearly visible without glare; in low-light environments or at night, the interface automatically increases transparency, matching the dark mode to present a soft light effect that reduces eye strain. At the same time, it responds to touch operations—for example, when long-pressing an icon, ripples similar to those spreading across glass appear around it; when sliding a control, a short-lived light trail is left behind, providing more intuitive visual feedback for every interaction.

 

Ultimately, the launch of Liquid Glass represents Apple's exploration of "transparency" in smartphone interactive experiences. It doesn't change the hardware performance of the iPhone, but through innovations in visual design, it transforms the system interface from a "tool-like feel" to an "immersive feel." This not only strengthens the design recognition of the Apple ecosystem but also makes daily operations more engaging. Understanding its nature as a "software design language" helps you move beyond the misunderstanding that it's a "hardware material," allowing you to truly appreciate the careful consideration for user experience behind this design.