Charles Esther
When Apple announced in June that the iPhone Camera app would receive a major redesign in iOS 26, the news was warmly welcomed.
The current app in iOS 18 has long been criticized for being cluttered and confusing, so this change felt overdue.
After testing the iOS 26 public beta, the difference is immediately noticeable.
The interface feels like it’s been tidied up after years of neglect — though there are a few elements that may take some getting used to.
Cleaner, More Minimal Layout
The first thing users will notice is the streamlined design.
Compared to the busier iOS 18 layout, iOS 26’s Camera app feels calmer, with fewer accidental taps and more breathing room around the shutter button.
Familiar shortcuts remain: holding and swiping right starts a video, while holding and swiping left triggers burst mode — the latter still branded as QuickTake.
Clearer Pop-Up Menus
The most frustrating part of the old Camera app — the cryptic Camera Control menu — has been replaced.
Gone are the tiny icons that required guesswork.
Now, swiping up reveals a labeled grid of options encased in Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” interface, making features like Night Mode and Photographic Styles easier to locate and understand.
Upgraded Video Settings
Video recording benefits from a simpler, more intuitive settings menu.
Instead of repeatedly tapping to change resolution or frame rate, users now have a dedicated panel with clearly labeled controls.
Extra features such as flash, exposure, and action mode are easier to find, making quick adjustments far less frustrating.
The Navigation Bar’s Learning Curve
A new navigation bar at the bottom shows only “Video” and “Photo” modes by default, with additional modes accessible by swiping.
However, both the Liquid Glass toggle and the mode bar move at the same time, which can feel awkward and block visibility.
A new “Classic Mode Switching” option, recently added in beta updates, restores the older swiping behavior for those who prefer it.
Missing a True Pro Mode
Despite the redesign, iOS 26 still lacks a dedicated “Pro” camera mode for manual control over settings like focus and exposure.
While third-party apps such as Halide and ProCamera fill this gap, Apple’s inclusion of a native Pro mode could help the iPhone compete more directly with advanced compact cameras.
For now, users can enable Apple ProRAW, the grid, and level features in settings to improve the photography experience.
Overall Verdict
The iOS 26 Camera app redesign delivers a cleaner, more organized shooting experience, making it easier to access essential features.
While some minimalism choices introduce small usability hurdles, and the absence of a Pro mode will disappoint advanced users, the update is a clear step forward for everyday photography and video capture on iPhone.
