iOS 26 icon colors are excessively vivid and oversaturated, very harsh on the eyes

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iOS 26 icon colors are excessively vivid and oversaturated, very harsh on the eyes

Ever since updating to iOS 26, I’ve found the overall icon colors on the Home Screen and in the App Library to be extremely bright and oversaturated. This affects both first-party Apple apps (Photos, Health, Fitness+, etc.) and many third-party apps (YouTube, Chrome, and countless others).

The colors are so intensely saturated that they almost look neon or fluorescent in some cases. As a result, the entire Home Screen feels visually overwhelming, harsh, and very distracting, especially when using the device for extended periods. Scrolling through pages of apps or even just glancing at the screen causes noticeable eye strain for me and several people I’ve spoken to. (I'm a healthy adult with perfect eyesight)

I understand Apple wanted a fresher, more vibrant look, but the current implementation has gone too far in the direction of extreme saturation and brightness. It no longer feels elegant or pleasant; it feels aggressive and tiring to look at.

Please consider:

Adding a system-wide “Classic Icon Style” toggle in Settings → Display & Brightness (similar to Reduce White Point or Dark Mode, but doesnt affect brightness or color accuracy)
Toning down the default saturation of iOS 26 icons in a future update
Giving users the option to revert to ealier iOS icon color palette

Posted on Dec 7, 2025 7:44 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

SravanKrA

Level 10

433,036 points

Dec 7, 2025 8:19 PM in response to marukoforapple

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This platform serves as a space for users to engage in meaningful conversations, share information, and exchange ideas related to Apple products. It's a community-driven initiative where users support each other by sharing their experiences and technical expertise in using Apple devices. While Apple Inc. is not actively participating in these discussions, the forum is a valuable resource for seeking guidance and assistance from fellow users who possess a wealth of experience with Apple products. Feel free to explore the discussions, ask questions, and benefit from the collective knowledge of this community.

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Answer 2

LD150

Level 10

103,602 points

Dec 29, 2025 7:08 AM in response to RustyBucketD28

RustyBucketD28 wrote:

I’m having the exact same issue. The bright and extreme over saturation makes it hard for me to look at my phone for any length of time. I noticed today that it affects CarPlay screen as well.

I hadn't noticed any difference after ios18.

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Answer 3

Dec 29, 2025 6:41 AM in response to marukoforapple

I’m having the exact same issue. The bright and extreme over saturation makes it hard for me to look at my phone for any length of time. I noticed today that it affects CarPlay screen as well.

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iOS 26 icon colors are excessively vivid and oversaturated, very harsh on the eyes

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