As the tech scene eagerly looks forward to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, all eyes are on the expected birth of the next iteration of its mobile platform.
Though it would see most reasonable that it’d be dubbed iOS 19, reports are that Apple has changed naming tactics for the first time in decades, and body of work examined by 9to5Mac suggests that iOS 26 is the monicker Apple has chosen, or at least mooted, which would put it in line with iphone release dates for better consistency among its software. The move is likely to spread to iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS as well.
Apart from the possible name change, iOS 26 is said to feature a huge new look, which is codenamed “Solarium.” Based on the aesthetic of visionOS, this redesign should bring with it a more modern UI with rounded icons, frosted menus and a less cluttered overall appearance. This could represent the biggest UI update since iOS 7.
IPS 26 will likely be released with the following features:
Elevated Cross-Device Connectivity: Upgraded functionalities that ensure a smoother, more connected experience across Apple devices, such as simplified Wi-Fi sharing.
AI Battery Management: Smart battery management, so you have all-day battery for browsing and gaming.
Desktop Mode for iPhone: Using the USB-C port on recent iPhones to provide a more desktop-like experience when connected to another monitor.
Enhanced gameplay: Still-unannounced gaming app-likely standalone across all platforms: The next version of Game Center may become a dedicated gaming app (and include friend lists and leaderboards); some Apple Arcade integration, at least in terms of friend-sharing across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac.
Apple Intelligence Enhancements: Big jumps in ai might also be saved for a later build but we’re likely to see more built-in reactivity in Siri, especially if it can support more apps and if it can tap into more detailed contextual information. There are also references to a new health coaching tool in the Health app.
Accessibility enhancements: New capabilities should make the system more accessible to more users.
Beyond iOS 26 I think we can expect Apple to delve even deeper into integrating AI into the user experience. This involves a more conversational and more aware-of-context Siri which might be driven by a large language model (LLM).
More progress in health and fitness monitoring, maybe with AI-fueled insights and tailored advice, is also expected. Cross-platform integration and the consistency of the ecosystem across Apple’s collection of devices will likely remain be a priority.
Both the Mac and iPad lineups are long overdue for updates, and rumors of new chips for both have swirled as rumors as Apple preps for a move away from Intel across the board.
While there may not be any significant new iPhone or iPad launches, we could see a new Mac Pro with the current M-series chip or at least a teaser of future hardware.
In short, Apple’s WWDC 2025 stands to be a big occasion, possibly ringing in a new age with iOS 26 and an extensive visual overhaul. Although big evolution of AI may be in the works, the emphasis this year is clearly on tuning the user experience improving on that whole “across your devices” premise and laying out groundwork for new, innovative features to come.