Apple’s Liquid Glass design in iOS 26 has me dreaming of a future iPhone mini. Apple recently unveiled iOS 26, and the first beta has already hit the scene, with the full version expected alongside the iPhone 17 series in September.
One of the standout features is Liquid Glass – a design concept that fuses the aesthetics of glass with a soft, flowing feel.
Liquid Glass is all about enhancing the focus on your content while giving the interface a more dynamic, personalized vibe. This is part of Apple’s broader initiative to expand the use of glass-like surfaces in visionOS (used in the Vision Pro) across other devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s software chief, explained that this design approach is particularly appealing because it creates the illusion that interface elements don’t take up as much space. And that got me thinking: if Liquid Glass is focused on maximizing the use of limited space, could this lead to the return of smaller screen phones?
Let’s be real – I’ve always been a fan of the iPhone mini, especially the iPhone 13 mini. It’s not about the specs or flashy features; it’s about the size. It’s just the right fit: small enough to use with one hand, portable, and doesn’t feel like I’m holding a tablet. Apple first introduced the mini with the iPhone 12 lineup, followed by the iPhone 13 mini. Sadly, that was the end of the road, and we haven’t seen a mini since.
I’ve been holding on to my iPhone 13 mini for four years, and honestly, I don’t feel the need to upgrade just for a larger screen. And I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. While the sales numbers didn’t back us up, Apple moved on. The mini was replaced by the Plus model, and rumors are swirling that the iPhone 17 series may launch a super-thin iPhone 17 Air instead. Sleek, sure, but not compact.
What really piques my interest about iOS 26 is how its new design philosophy seems to be all about making the most of limited space. Rather than just layering more UI on top, the design blends into the background, allowing the content to shine through and creating a sense of openness and room to breathe. This is especially helpful on smaller screens where traditional UI elements like buttons and navigation bars can take up precious space. But with the transparent, blurry Liquid Glass style, the content underneath remains visible, cutting down on clutter and giving you more room to work with.
Sure, the current beta has some bugs – like readability issues with the new translucent styling – but these might be sorted out before the final release. Apple has suggested that developers use this new design for navigation elements, meaning third-party apps could also adopt this look, reducing visual clutter and giving a cleaner, more open feel to apps.
Imagine how perfect this would be on a compact phone. It feels like the kind of design that could bring smaller phones back into the conversation – even if it’s not right away. After the iPhone 17 Air is out of the way, Apple might finally look into reviving the mini with a design that truly embraces a smaller screen.
Smaller screens offer real benefits: they’re easier to use with one hand, more portable, and offer fewer distractions. They also make great companion devices if you’re already using a Mac or iPad. Not everyone is asking for a tiny phone, but not everyone wants a giant one either.
Maybe, just maybe, Liquid Glass will be the first step in Apple revisiting smaller phones. It could bring a shift in how iPhones feel, without sacrificing space for content. The rumored iPhone redesign codenamed “Glasswing,” set for 2027, could be the breakthrough we need – a sleek, curved glass design with minimal bezels. It may not be smaller, but the overall experience might feel more immersive and less cramped. It’s not a mini comeback just yet, but Apple is definitely exploring designs that could make smaller phones feel less of a compromise.