Back in 2013, when iOS was introduced, it sparked a lot of reaction with its then-innovative, more colorful, but flat, design style, which reflected minimalism. Now, a similar level of excitement is expected with the iOS 26 updates at WWDC 2025.
The forecast is that instead of numbering iOS versions in order, Apple will start naming them after their release year, such as iOS 26 for 2026, as well as iPad 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.
Insiders indicate that Apple may be taking design cues from VisionOS, the operating system behind its Vision Pro headset. If true, the changes could include a sleeker, more transparent user interface and a shift toward rounded app icons, making a clear change from the usual square icons familiar to iPhone and iPad users.
According to Bloomberg, these visual updates could be introduced through the entire Apple lineup, including CarPlay, ensuring a smoother experience when switching devices.
As for Apple intelligence, the company seems to have fallen behind in the AI race, making announcements about AI features that have not yet been released. Some experts have criticized Apple for promoting products that don’t yet exist.
While Apple has introduced several AI tools like Genmoji, Playground, Writing Tools, and Photos Clean Up, the promised improvements to Siri have yet to arrive.
Apple is partly relying on outside partners such as OpenAI to improve its AI capabilities on the iPhone. During WWDC 2025, the company could reveal plans to integrate other AI chatbot services as well. Meanwhile, with Jony Ive working alongside Sam Altman on a new AI hardware device, Apple is under pressure to accelerate its progress in artificial intelligence.
For Apple WWDC, the company is said to announce its development of a gaming app to take the Game Center app’s place. The app might offer access to Apple Arcade’s subscription game library, along with features such as leaderboards, personalized game suggestions, and options to compete with friends.
At the next WWDC, the company may announce real-time translation to AirPods, letting users understand and respond in different languages during conversations.
Alongside this, new features could include enhanced head gestures, sleep detection for auto-pausing music, touch controls for triggering the camera, and a studio-quality microphone mode, making AirPods more versatile and intelligent than ever.
macOS, possibly named macOS Tahoe, is also expected to get some updates at the next WWDC, including UI updates, access to the upcoming app, and integration with the new AirPods capabilities. Apple TV is also expected to receive a refreshed interface and similar enhancements.
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