A recent consumer survey suggests that a sizeable number of iPhone owners remain hesitant to install iOS 26, months after its release. The study, carried out by SellCell among 2,000 adult iPhone users in the United States, found that more than one in five respondents have yet to update their devices.

Lack of awareness emerged as the most common explanation, with many respondents saying they did not realise the update was available. Others assumed the software would install itself automatically without user input. Practical concerns also featured prominently, particularly fears that battery life might decline after updating or that overall performance could suffer. A portion of users also reported avoiding the update because they dislike the new Liquid Glass interface, citing readability and visual comfort.

Caution appears to be shaping update behaviour more broadly. Around 61 per cent of those surveyed said they do not install major software updates as soon as they are released. Instead, many prefer to wait and see whether early adopters encounter serious bugs or stability issues. Some respondents said they only update when prompted repeatedly or when the update becomes unavoidable.

Only a minority of users expressed complete confidence in the new operating system. Just 28 per cent said they had no concerns about iOS 26, meaning nearly three-quarters of participants had at least one reservation. Battery drain topped the list, followed closely by worries about slower device performance. These concerns persist despite Apple’s ongoing efforts to optimise software for older hardware.

Design changes also appear to be a sticking point. While Liquid Glass represents a significant visual shift, not all users see it as an improvement. Some respondents said the new look alone was enough to delay upgrading, while others were uneasy about the difficulty of reverting to an earlier version once the update is installed.

Although iOS 26 continues to gain traction overall, the findings highlight a familiar pattern. For many iPhone owners, perceived risks to battery health, speed and usability outweigh the appeal of new features, at least until the update has proven itself over time.