With the highly anticipated iOS 26 update, Apple has made a significant animation change for the first time in years. This innovation, introduced in beta 6 of the update, is particularly pleasing to older iPhone users. App launch animations have been completely revamped, and phones now offer a much smoother experience.

iOS 26 Reimagines Older iPhones

Apple’s Springboard overhaul significantly increased the speed of app launches. Tapping the app icon brings the app to full screen faster than before.

This speedup was observed not only on the newest phones but also on older iPhone models testing the iOS 26 beta. This is seen as Apple’s effort to breathe new life into older devices through software optimization.

While iOS 26 doesn’t directly change the phone’s processor performance, the updated animations give the user the impression that the phone is much faster. This perceptual acceleration makes a difference in daily use.

iOS 26, expected to be released this fall, will be available to users at the iPhone 17 launch event on September 9th. This update’s Liquid Glass visual tweaks and new animations are poised to completely revamp the iPhone experience.

The updated animations further demonstrate the importance Apple places on its legacy devices. The company will continue to support the performance of older models with software optimizations, along with new features.

So, what are your thoughts on this? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.