iOS 9 brings quite a bunch of changes, many of which we’ve been looking forward to for months. One of the biggest things that have stirred up Apple users, though is the new iOS 9 font, making the hearts of Helvetica lovers seize up.
The new font, named San Franciso, has elicited mixed reactions – as most changes do.
Personally, I am not that bothered. I think I actually do like it. For some, it may take some getting used to.
I went through Twitter to see what people think. Check out the reactions to the new iOS 9 font San Francisco.
Love it
The old makes room for the new. Feeling like I got a new iPhone after #ios9 upgrade.
?? the new San Francisco font pic.twitter.com/0nUlVULZyG
— Imran Haider (@ImrnHdr) September 18, 2015
Like the new #iOS9 font ('San Francisco'). Easy to read. pic.twitter.com/RXMAxHQ6RA
— Adrian Weckler (@adrianweckler) September 17, 2015
Can confirm: thew new San Francisco font in #iOS9 is absolutely gorgeous. pic.twitter.com/xcNrUbDjxw
— Glen Sears (@glensears) September 16, 2015
Best thing about #iOS9 has to be the font. San Francisco is beautiful!
— _|Jay|_ (@xyIT) August 17, 2015
Hate it
New #ios9 font is terrible. I wish it wasn't named "San Francisco".
#BroDoYouEvenKern
— ill.GATES (@illGatesMusic) September 17, 2015
Argh, the kerning of the San Francisco font on #iOS9 isn't exactly stellar. That "po st" looks horrible. pic.twitter.com/TbsJUF7Pv3
— Jonas Hummelstrand (@hummelstrand) September 17, 2015
It looks like kerning is a main issue for people.
Then there’s “weird”.
I liked Helvetica more than San Francisco. What is this weird font? #iOS9
— Max S (@nyclamusician) September 17, 2015
Can I get the old Helvetica font back on #iOS9, Apple? The San Francisco font looks weird. ? ?? ? ??? pic.twitter.com/F2Zo8xWMdc
— Anni (@annideleon) September 16, 2015
And “ugly”.
.@Tweetbot in #ios9 using new system font for tweets = ugly. Not a fan of San Francisco the font.
— Tuomo Tanskanen (@tuomotanskanen) September 2, 2015
In between
I'm digging the San Francisco font on the #iOS9 update, but sad to see Helvetica Neue go. ?
— katherine r (@kat_rag) September 17, 2015
There's something offbeat and mildly disturbing about the #sanfrancisco font #macosx #iOS9 #ElCapitan
— Daniel Fallman (@dfallman) August 17, 2015
Can't decide if I like this "San Francisco" font on #iOS9, Helvetia Nue was like the ultimate for me. I guess it's alright, just a change
— Richard Mayne (@RicheyMayne) July 27, 2015
It's not that the "San Francisco" font change in #iOS9 is bad, it just isn't timeless. Like Android fonts, it's going to look dated in 2025.
— Eddie VanBogaert (@eddievb) July 12, 2015
What do you think about San Francisco? To which group do you belong?
7 thoughts on “Reactions to the iOS 9 Font – San Francisco”
“Like Android fonts, it’s going to look dated in 2025.”
“Like Android fonts, it’s going to look dated at 20:25!” 🙂
Yes.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
Couldn’t have worded it better myself.
Can’t really speak on the font because I haven’t installed iOS 9. I’ll wait for iOS 9.1, thanks…
But I remember way back when postscript fonts came out with the LaserWriter. There was a rule of thumb that you would use when deciding what fonts to use:
“If you can go there, don’t use it.”
Apple had Geneva (Helvetica) and New York (Times Roman). Since you can go to Geneva or New York, you didn’t try to use those fonts with a LaserWriter.
So when I hear of a font named “San Francisco,” I think, “Ooh. Better not use that.”
By the way, as an old timer, I still remember this San Francisco font.
Oh, good Lord – that old San Francisco font.
La nouvelle typo San Fransico est une horreur !!!!!!
Illisible et ringarde.
Steve, reviens ! Ils sont devenus fous !
Congratulations. You turned a very loyal Apple user for years completely off the brand with this horrible upgrade. You call the font San Francisco but it’s a glorified Comic Sans. It’s childish in appearance and makes the text almost unreadable. I feel dizzy and nauseated just trying to use it.
Now I’m looking up how much it would cost me to pay off my phone and switch to Android as soon as I can.
The least you could do is allow users the option to switch back to HelveticaNeue but then that wouldn’t be in Apple’s keeping — actually giving their customers a choice. Let’s hope you don’t get into the business of making cars too. Everyone would have to be on autopilot and go where you programmed the car to go. The driver doesn’t steer here.
Horrible font. I’m through.
I have to agree with Sharon Lyn. The iOS 9 font is the ugliest font ever since Comic Sans MS. Childish, ugly, and unreadable in appearance. If there ever was a font that got me completely triggered just upon the sight of it, the iOS 9 font would be it. I get triggered at the sight of it. Apple really should be ashamed of themselves. I’m glad I have switched to Android because #ScrewApple #AppleSucks
At this point, Apple should suffer more and more because of their poor business practices. I have pledged to make myself completely free of all Apple products by the end of 2017.