Several months after its launch, a significant portion of iPhone owners are still without making the jump to iOS 26 Despite having a compatible mobile phone. Figures from the SellCell survey and other analyses point to a significantly slower adoption rate than in previous versions such as iOS 18This is something that is attracting attention both inside and outside the Apple ecosystem.
The data helps to clarify what many suspected: it's not just a matter of isolated technical failures, but a combination of lack of knowledge, distrust in updates, and rejection of some design changesAnd although the study is focused on users in the United States, the conclusions fit with what is also observed in Europe and in Spain, where there are many users who use the iPhone "for four things" and barely pay attention to the system.
22% still don't have iOS 26: the weight of ignorance and inertia
According to the SellCell study conducted on 2.000 iPhone usersAround 22% of those surveyed continue to use older versions even though their device is fully compatible with iOS 26. It's a limited sample, but enough to detect a clear pattern: Not everyone feels the urge to updateeven though Apple has been insisting for months that it is key to security.
The most striking fact is that the main reason has nothing to do with major errors or incompatibilities, but with something much more mundane: 28% directly admit that they did not know that iOS 26 was availableFor many, the operating system is little more than a black box that "takes care of itself," and they don't even recognize the term "iOS" when it appears in menus.
Related to this, another large group of users appeared who took it for granted that The iPhone would update automaticallyAccording to the survey, more than 23% believed they didn't have to do anything at all to receive the new version, so they simply continued using their mobile phone without going into Settings > General > Software Update.
Thirdly, a similar percentage of users admit that They haven't updated due to sheer laziness or lack of time.They see it as a tedious task that they prefer to keep postponing: between making a backup, waiting for the download and the restart, many choose to postpone it indefinitely, especially if their iPhone "works well enough".
These responses paint a picture in which communication and user experience play a key role: Apple prides itself on simplicityHowever, a significant portion of the public does not fully understand how and when their mobile phone is updated, or does not perceive the need to intervene.
Liquid Glass, the new design that hasn't quite caught on
Beyond the sheer lack of information, the report points to a notable opposition to Liquid Glass, the new visual language of iOS 26This interface, based on transparencies, blurs, and effects that simulate glass surfaces, is one of Apple's biggest aesthetic changes in years, but it hasn't quite won everyone over.
Some of the respondents stated that They don't find the appearance of Liquid Glass comfortable. For everyday use: users comment that the interface seems cluttered, that it's harder to distinguish the elements, or that they simply don't like the new style. For those who have been using the previous design for years, the change can be jarring.
Another recurring concern is the readability of the contentSome users fear that translucent backgrounds will make it difficult to read notifications, the clock on the lock screen, or certain menus. While this is largely a subjective perception, this type of concern weighs heavily on the decision of whether or not to update.
Added to this is the frustration of those who discover that They cannot completely disable Liquid Glass8,6% of those surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with not having the option to revert to the exact previous design. Apple allows users to soften effects and reduce transparencies, but the new visual language remains at the core of the system.
In any case, the company has introduced adjustments to lessen the impact. This has been possible since iOS 26.1. replace some of the transparencies with more opaque or translucent backgroundsAnd in version 26.2, a transparency intensity control was added to improve the visibility of the time and other elements on the lock screen. Additionally, the "Reduce transparency" option, which helps make text and buttons more distinguishable, remains in Accessibility settings.
Battery and performance: the old ghosts of every upgrade
If we talk about why Users are not updating their iPhones to iOS 26There are two arguments that are repeated year after year with each new version: the fear of battery drain and the suspicion that the phone becomes slower. This time is no different, although the percentages vary depending on the source and the time of the survey.
The SellCell study shows that around a 24% fear a decline in autonomy If you install iOS 26. The reason is not new: many remember previous cases in which, after updating, consumption skyrocketed during the first few days due to internal reindexing processes and background adjustments.
Almost simultaneously, a 23% express concern about performanceThe idea that a major update can make an older device, or even a relatively new one, sluggish remains widespread. Although performance tests usually show improvements with the latest versions, any lag, app crashes, or slowdowns are amplified in forums and social media.
With iOS 26, the story has been similar: the first versions have arrived with increased resource consumption in certain scenarios Some users have noticed slightly reduced battery life, especially in the days following installation. However, recent patches (such as iOS 26.2 and 26.2.1) have addressed these issues, and the situation appears to have stabilized on most devices.
In terms of pure performance, measurements indicate that compatible iPhones They don't perform worse with iOS 26 than with iOS 18And they might even be somewhat more efficient at certain tasks. However, this doesn't prevent the general perception from being influenced by problematic cases, which are the ones that generate the most noise in communities and networks.
Clean installation and accessibility settings: how to mitigate problems
Among users who have updated and are not satisfied, a common recommendation from technicians and advanced users is to opt for a clean install of iOS 26 When persistent battery or performance issues arise, the solution is to restore the iPhone to factory settings and set it up as new, keeping the same Apple account but without carrying over previous settings.
This process is more laborious because it requires Redownload apps, reconfigure settings, and review permissionsHowever, it has the advantage of removing junk files or corrupted data that can accumulate with each update. As long as your main information is synced with iCloud (calendars, photos, notes, reminders, etc.), the risk of data loss is greatly reduced.
Additionally, a clean installation can help Recalculate the battery status correctlyAfter a few days of normal phone use, the system re-analyzes the consumption pattern and, in many cases, an improvement in battery life is observed compared to a simple "overhead" update.
Meanwhile, those who are not comfortable with the look of Liquid Glass can rely on the Accessibility adjustments to smooth out the new designOptions such as “Reduce transparency”, “Increase contrast” or “Reduce motion” are designed to make the interface more legible and less cluttered, and in iOS 26 they take on an important role for those who see the design change as too aggressive.
In the specific case of notifications, Apple has introduced darker translucent layers and alternate modes These changes make reading easier, so the blurred background doesn't compete so much with the text. It's not a return to the previous style, but rather a middle ground that attempts to satisfy those who demanded greater clarity.
Apple takes care of those who stay on iOS 18 (and previous versions)
The fact that a significant percentage of users haven't updated to iOS 26 doesn't mean they've been completely forgotten. In fact, Apple recently released iOS 18.7.4This update is aimed at both models that are no longer compatible with iOS 26 (such as the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR) and those who, although able to upgrade, prefer to stay on the previous branch out of caution or habit.
This version doesn't include visual changes or new features, but it does incorporate important security patches to close vulnerabilities discovered in recent months. This way, those who are reluctant to install iOS 26 can continue using their iPhone with a reasonable level of protection, something especially relevant in Europe and Spain, where mobile phones are increasingly used as a key to accessing banking, e-government services, and payments.
Something similar happens with even older branches like iOS 15, iOS 16 and even iOS 12These devices have also recently received minor updates with security fixes. Older models like the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and the original iPhone SE continue to receive occasional patches, even though they are no longer compatible with the latest features of iOS 26 or upcoming AI capabilities.
This broad support policy partly explains why many European users choose extend the lifespan of your phones and endure one or two system versions behind. They know they will continue to receive basic security measures, even if they forgo aesthetic changes like Liquid Glass or recent features in iMessage, Photos, or Safari.
Looking ahead, Apple is already preparing iOS 27 as a release that, according to leaks, will prioritize Stability and artificial intelligence functions versus major visual changesThis approach is reminiscent of versions like Snow Leopard on Mac or iOS 12 on the iPhone, and could appease those who are hesitant after iOS 26 was perceived as too ambitious aesthetically.
Taken together, the picture painted by this data is clear: a significant minority of users still haven't updated their iPhones to iOS 26, driven by a combination of lack of awareness, lingering concerns about battery life and performance, and a rejection of the new Liquid Glass design. Apple is trying to compensate with security patches for those who are left behind and with tweaks that smooth the interface, but the adoption rate shows that, at least for now, Part of the user base prioritizes stability and tradition over new features.This is especially visible in mature markets like Spain and the rest of Europe.
