Apple Adds iOS 27 Liquid Glass Slider, Replacing 2 Fixed Transparency Options

Q: Will iOS 27's new Liquid Glass customization come at the cost of your iPhone's battery life?

Probably not in any major way, and Apple is clearly trying to limit any battery hit. Liquid Glass is a graphics-heavy interface effect, so in principle more transparency, blur and animation can use more GPU power than flatter, more opaque visuals. That is why some earlier versions of Apple’s newer visual design drew complaints about battery drain, especially on older iPhones and in early testing. But the reporting around iOS 27 points the other way overall. Apple is said to have optimized Liquid Glass more aggressively in this release, while also giving users a new slider to reduce the effect or even make elements effectively opaque. That matters because dialing back transparency and tint effects should reduce the rendering load compared with running the most visually intense setting all the time. There is no firm evidence yet that the new customization itself will noticeably shorten battery life in everyday use. The available information suggests the bigger story is control: if you want the full glassy look, you may trade a small amount of efficiency for aesthetics; if battery life matters more, iOS 27 gives you a direct way to tone the effect down. The practical takeaway is that battery impact, if any, is likely to depend on your chosen setting and your device. Newer iPhones should handle it better, while older models may be more sensitive to the heaviest visual effects.

3 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · Jun 15

iOS 27 lets iPhone users set Liquid Glass transparency anywhere on a slider, replacing the Clear and Tinted choices offered in iOS 26.
The new control sits in Settings > Appearance and adjusts systemwide interface elements, including the App Store, Apple Podcasts and Lock Screen notifications.
Apple appears to be broadening customization after last year’s Liquid Glass redesign in iOS 26 proved less than ideal for some users despite a generally positive reception.
The slider is already functional in current iOS 27 builds, though Apple could still refine it further before the software ships.