Discrepancy between reviews and MacRumors articles

[con2apple]

This is not a criticism. Just an observation. I don't know whether this thread is correct here. But it affects the community and not just one section of it.

MacRumors has been reporting on the new GUI for Apple devices for months. In all the enthusiastic words that Apple also uses. Now, shortly after its release, there are what feels like dozens of articles about the new features.

Never before have I seen so many critical comments under the articles.

These aren't new members, but in some cases long-standing members who otherwise defend everything Apple does.

The general criticism on other platforms is also devastating, especially by Apple standards. I have never heard such clear criticism from American users. And we all know how polite Americans actually are when they communicate.

At the same time, I notice that MacRumors doesn't even address the criticism, which is actually always the same.
While other topics are given their own ratings, MacRumors doesn't even report on criticism from its own members. I don't even see criticism from other media outlets in the articles.

I don't know why that is, and I'm not suggesting any malicious intent. But I do notice a certain discrepancy between the forum members and the editorial team. This has also been mentioned negatively by other members.

What do you think?

 

[I7guy]

For me I noticed as the market cap for Apple increased, criticism also did. To me the takeaway is that MR can be a bit of a bubble and I don’t give the over the top criticism a second thought.

 

[S.B.G]

I believe that too many people associate their self-worth with brand-identity. That is a dangerous and unhealthy thing to do.

I think that is what contributes to extreme criticism of Apple (or any company). They become personally offended at other views of a product that they associate with their self-worth.

 

[maflynn]

Never before have I seen so many critical comments under the articles.

Regardless of the type of upgrade we're looking at, iOS, macOS, MBP, new phones, its almost always met with criticism. The bigger the change, the bigger the complaints. Just look at how much dissension and conflicts arose when Apple introduced the ill fated touch bar.

 

[con2apple]

Regardless of the type of upgrade we're looking at, iOS, macOS, MBP, new phones, its almost always met with criticism. The bigger the change, the bigger the complaints.

There is a certain difference between the familiar complaints about design changes and objective criticism of a lack of usability and care.
I agree that there will always be people who complain about ‘new’ things.

But what is currently being criticised is not that the design is new. Rather, it is that it disregards fundamental principles.

One of dozens examples:

Just look at how much dissension and conflicts arose when Apple introduced the ill fated touch bar.

Yes, I remember. Back then, Macrumors was still a small bubble for Apple fans. They – in typical American politeness – labelled any criticism of the Touch Bar's ergonomics and usability as hate.

Today, these ‘Apple always does everything right’ fans are in the minority and the tide has turned. Objective criticism can now also be found in the forums at Macrumors or in the articles at Macworld.


You didn't address my actual point. But based on your statements, I can now better understand why objective criticism of the new design wasn't even the subject of an article in the last months.
In the last few days, there was a single article that addressed the widespread criticism and, in my view, dismissed it with ‘It always takes time to get used to a new look’.

iOS 26's Liquid Glass Design Draws Criticism From Users

It's been two days since iOS 26 was released, and Apple's new Liquid Glass design is even more divisive than expected. Any major design...

www.macrumors.com

The fact that the majority of the criticism does not relate to the look at all, but to usability, and that the article even lists this in figures, well... I don't know, should it be ignored?

Perhaps that is why the article compares the criticism of usability and readability with the complaints about getting used to iOS7.

And that brings me back to what I want to address in this thread.
Finally, there is an article that at least mentions the constant criticism from all sides. Even from long years Apple fans and other Apple magazines.

And then three-quarters of the points listed are ignored so that the conclusion can be drawn: ‘It always takes time to get used to a new look.’
Three-quarters of the points listed are ignored. So that it can be pretended that it's all about the look.

Which is why, of course, people are scratching their heads over this article and asking: What's actually going on here?

Apple's own advertising images show a surprisingly high level of function follows form. So high that some of the content of the press images cannot be recognised "in real distance" without looking twice. Press images!

https://www.apple.com/v/iphone-air/b/images/overview/shared_features/hero_features_left__cw3eem8kpu2q_large_2x.jpg

And one of the most important sources of news about Apple ignores the aspects of usability and readability that Apple always holds in high regard, even when it lists these points of criticism in its own article.

 

[Madonepro]

View attachment 2550708

Regardless of the type of upgrade we're looking at, iOS, macOS, MBP, new phones, its almost always met with criticism. The bigger the change, the bigger the complaints. Just look at how much dissension and conflicts arose when Apple introduced the ill fated touch bar.

The volume of threads started in the last week, on the topic of iOS 26 and the iPhone 17 series, is mind blowing. I've avoided much of the front page, and the new posts/trending threads lists, as they are full of hyperbole, vitriol, and good old fashioned school yard bragging...

 

[fatTribble]

For me I noticed as the market cap for Apple increased, criticism also did. To me the takeaway is that MR can be a bit of a bubble and I don’t give the over the top criticism a second thought.

Exactly. How many times have we seen the posts about Apple being so wealthy that their software should never have defects. I used to work with a guy who would tell stories of the system he released in his previous job having zero defects. I never met anyone who believed him.

In recent posts I’ve been on the lookout for genuine issues people are having due to bugs or a confusing interface. Instead I found posts saying it was ugly or that we didn’t need a new design.

I don’t remember a bigger disconnect between what I read about both iOS and the new iPhones and my own impressions when I finally got them.

 

[turbineseaplane]

It seems pretty clear that Liquid Glass is both polarizing, but also buggy.

Eventually I'm sure it will get ironed out, but at this point in time, it's hard to dismiss so many examples being posted of issues, niggles, inconsistencies, bugs, oddities -- on and on.

 

[turbineseaplane]

And one of the most important sources of news about Apple ignores the aspects of usability and readability that Apple always holds in high regard, even when it lists these points of criticism in its own article.

A great example of this ignoring is the deflection in an MR article recently of this list of positive comments from people who prefer LG/iOS26 in this case (quoted down below).

Notice how it's all vibes and subjective preferences of how "fresh", "new", "bright and bouncy" it is?

Basically nothing about if it's polished, functional, bug free, well thought out, a good idea to begin with, etc.

Not everyone hates Liquid Glass, and there are also many positive comments from people who prefer the new design. Some of that sentiment:

• It makes the iPhone feel faster.
• It feels modern and clean, and makes a boring smartphone a little more fun.
• It's bright, bouncy, and just plain cool to use.
• Getting notifications is satisfying, and the Lock Screen keypad is like bubbles.
• It's fresh and easy to get accustomed to.
• iOS 18's flat UI was depressing, so iOS 26 is an improvement.
• It's technologically impressive with the light refraction and diffusion of chromatic aberration.
• The icons are slick and it harkens back to the OG Apple UI design.