**iOS 26 Safari Browser: An In-Depth Look at the Liquid Glass Aesthetic and Fresh Layout Choices**
The iOS 26 Safari browser for iPhone features a revamped design system defined by the Liquid Glass style. This cutting-edge aesthetic incorporates floating toolbars and buttons that gracefully shine through the website content as users navigate, enhancing the overall experience of browsing.
### New Layout Styles
Following the contentious redesign introduced in iOS 15, Safari offers users two layout styles: ‘Tab Bar’ and ‘Single Tab’. In iOS 26, these styles have been rebranded as ‘Bottom’ and ‘Top’, with the introduction of a new default style called ‘Compact’. While these styles retain a familiar feel, they have experienced design modifications to fit the new Liquid Glass concept.
### User Insights and Modifications
The initial reactions during the iOS 15 phase raised issues regarding the repositioning of the Safari URL bar from a fixed location at the top of the display to a floating element at the bottom. This adjustment enabled the URL bar to shrink in size as users scrolled, which some users found confusing. In response, Apple made revisions to the Bottom toolbar layout and restored the conventional Top layout as an option for users.
### The Compact Style
The newly introduced Compact style in iOS 26 bears resemblance to earlier versions from iOS 15. The URL bar is situated at the bottom of the display, slightly away from the edge, and is surrounded by the back button and the ••• button for extra page functionalities. As users scroll down, the interface components shrink, yielding a tidier appearance, which expands once more when scrolling back up.
### Bottom and Top Styles
The Bottom style has evolved from a docked configuration to a floating design while preserving the core aspects of the earlier ‘Tab Bar’ style. This style features a full-width URL bar and navigation controls when expanded but minimizes to take on the appearance of the Compact style as users scroll down.
The Top style continues to be the most conventional choice, with floating toolbars that match the curved edges of the iPhone display. Like the other styles, the toolbar recedes upon scrolling, offering a fluid browsing experience.
### Modifying Safari Layout
Users can conveniently alternate between various Safari layouts in iOS 26 by going to Settings -> Safari -> Tabs, where they can choose from Compact, Bottom, or Top styles.
### Layout Styles Comparison
A comprehensive full-screen comparison of each style is available, highlighting the unique features and capabilities of the Compact, Bottom, and Top layouts in iOS 26 beta 1.
### Considerations for macOS and iPadOS
Notably, while iPhone users enjoy three tab layout options, Apple has eliminated the Compact choice from Safari on macOS 26 and iPadOS 26. It remains unclear whether this alteration is definitive or if the Compact style will make a return later in the beta process.
In summary, the iOS 26 Safari browser delivers an upgraded design and new layout options that cater to user preferences, all while embracing the contemporary Liquid Glass aesthetic.
