Apple’s Liquid Glass UI Wows Elon Musk, Carl Pei: What’s Behind The Hype?
Apple’s sleek new Liquid Glass UI for iOS 26 and more is earning praise from Elon Musk and Carl Pei. Here's why it matters.
Apple’s big reveal at WWDC 2025 wasn’t just about software — it was about how that software looks. The Cupertino giant unveiled its new ‘Liquid Glass’ design language across the next generation of its operating systems, and the internet has feelings. Notably, two of tech’s most influential voices — Elon Musk and Carl Pei — have chimed in, and both seem quite impressed.
Elon Musk Reacts With a One-Word Verdict
Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) boss Elon Musk offered a rare but succinct nod of approval to Apple’s new UI style. In response to Apple CEO Tim Cook’s post showcasing the Liquid Glass design, Musk replied simply:
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2025
While minimal, the comment carries weight — especially considering the history of friction between Musk and Apple. Just last year, Musk had taken jabs at Apple’s closed ecosystem and alleged AI-related practices. But this time, he kept it brief and positive.
Carl Pei Is Into It — A Lot
Nothing co-founder Carl Pei also shared his thoughts on Apple’s redesign. His reaction was more expressive than Musk’s, saying:
Liquid Glass... I kinda love it? 🤷
— Carl Pei (@getpeid) June 9, 2025
Pei’s Nothing brand has often drawn comparisons to Apple, especially for its focus on design minimalism and transparency. His appreciation for Apple’s new visual direction signals both professional admiration and a shared design ethos.
What Is Liquid Glass Anyway?
Introduced as part of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and other Apple platforms, Liquid Glass is Apple’s latest user interface revamp. It’s a translucent, dynamic design system that reacts to ambient light, colour shifts, and user interactions. This isn’t just a fresh coat of visual paint — Liquid Glass creates a sense of depth and motion that evolves with system themes and wallpapers.
Unlike past iterations of skeuomorphism or flat design, Liquid Glass blends subtle animations with responsive transparency, giving common interface elements like buttons, sliders, and sidebars a “living” feel. Apple insists it’s not just about looking pretty — it remains as intuitive and user-friendly as ever.
Early Praise, But What Will Users Think?
While developer betas of Apple’s OS suite are now live, the wider user base will get a taste of Liquid Glass only later this year. Still, early praise from high-profile figures like Musk and Pei gives Apple’s design team a solid morale boost. Whether users will “love it” just as much remains to be seen — but Apple seems to be betting on a bold new visual chapter.
And with Musk already calling it “cool,” maybe even the skeptics will take a second look.
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