Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 is set to begin at 10 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, and anticipation is high amid expectations of major software announcements and significant design upgrades, particularly for iOS.
This year’s spotlight is firmly on the next evolution of iOS, reportedly dubbed “iOS 26”, marking a significant departure from Apple’s previous naming scheme, which tied versions strictly to numerical order. Under the new convention, Apple’s operating systems will reflect the calendar year, aligning versions across macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS as well.
Sources familiar with Apple’s plans suggest iOS 26 is set for the most dramatic visual redesign since iOS 7. When the company introduced iOS 7 in 2013, the shift from skeuomorphic designs to a more minimalistic, flat aesthetic drew reactions both enthusiastic and critical. Apple appears poised to generate similar conversations with iOS 26. Early indications point toward a visual overhaul inspired by visionOS, the operating system powering Apple’s Vision Pro spatial headset. Users can expect more streamlined interface elements, transparent overlays, and app icons moving away from their familiar square shapes toward circular designs. It’s possible these visual enhancements will permeate Apple’s entire ecosystem, creating a consistent user experience across its platforms and devices, including CarPlay.
Reports also strongly suggest that Apple could unveil a new dedicated gaming application for iOS, effectively replacing the aging Game Center. This new gaming platform would integrate closely with Apple Arcade, providing centralized features like leaderboards, personalized game recommendations, and easier multiplayer challenges via iMessage and FaceTime integrations.
AI developments at Apple have drawn considerable scrutiny, notably after the 2024 introduction of Apple Intelligence—a suite designed to dramatically enhance Siri and other applications—which has faced delays and criticism from developers. Consequently, while expectations around AI updates at WWDC 2025 are tempered, Apple is expected to offer incremental, yet significant improvements: AI could power battery optimization, a smarter Shortcuts app, and major enhancements to commonly used functions such as health insights and messaging translations. It’s anticipated that Apple will also announce broader AI chatbot integrations through third-party platforms like OpenAI.
In a move that symbolizes Apple’s ongoing commitment to accessibility and functionality, the company’s widely popular AirPods may soon feature live-translate capabilities, enabling real-time language interpretation during conversations. Additional enhancements may include new gestures responding to head movements, music playback optimization based on sleep patterns, and hands-free camera control.
iPadOS users are not left behind either, as Apple is reportedly developing a sophisticated virtual calligraphy feature tailored specifically for customers writing in Arabic script, particularly in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and India. Complementing this, iOS and iPadOS could feature a bilingual keyboard capable of seamless switching between Arabic and English.
On Mac, expectations center around macOS 26, likely christened “macOS Tahoe” following Apple’s tradition of choosing iconic California landmarks. Prospective updates will include the new unified gaming app mentioned earlier and refinements for AirPods integration, strengthening cross-platform device communication.
Apple TV improvements may involve visual updates and interface adjustments designed for intuitive navigation, additional gaming capabilities, and overall refinements to user experience.
Despite high anticipation for hardware surprises, industry sources suggest that hardware announcements are unlikely. However, there remain intriguing whispers around Apple’s Vision Pro headset receiving enhanced eye-scrolling functionality and possibly new spatial input controllers optimized for virtual and augmented reality interaction.
Apple may also preview a long-anticipated smart home tablet powered by HomeOS, a system indicated through recent trademark filings. Designed for home automation tasks, this tablet would incorporate voice commands, home controls, and video calling functionality.
Thus, WWDC 2025 shapes up to be primarily software-focused, aiming to introduce visually compelling OS updates, practical AI integrations, refinements in app experiences, and tight ecosystem alignment. Apple’s challenge will be balancing these innovative changes while addressing lingering dissatisfaction among developers and reaffirming its competitive footing in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
