As Apple gears up to reveal its next operating system at WWDC 2025, anticipation is building over significant changes rumored for the coming update, currently known as iOS 19. Headlines circulating ahead of the keynote include a potential renaming scheme, major visual and feature enhancements, and new integrations intended to unify Apple’s software experience across devices.
One notable rumor suggests Apple will abandon its customary numbering system in favor of aligning names with the calendar year of release. This would mean iOS 19 becomes iOS 26, signaling a shift reminiscent of automotive model naming conventions. This naming convention could extend beyond iPhones, encompassing updates to macOS, iPadOS, wearable operating systems like watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS, thus providing clearer branding for each year’s software ecosystem.
Perhaps the most discussed element of the update is a sweeping design overhaul, reportedly the most substantial since iOS 7. Sources indicate that Apple has internally named this new user interface “Liquid Glass,” taking aesthetic cues from its Vision Pro headset. The redesign would employ translucent navigation panels and circular app icons to deliver a more cohesive visual language across Apple’s range of products, including CarPlay. Key apps expected to be substantially revamped are the Phone, Camera, and Safari apps. These changes are rumored to include novel functionalities such as unified views merging favorite contacts, recent communications, and voicemails within the Phone app, alongside a visually refreshed Safari browser with transparent address bar elements.
Another key component reportedly coming to iOS is a dedicated gaming app combining Apple Arcade content and App Store gaming offerings into a single hub. This platform would showcase achievements, leaderboards, and curated gaming highlights following Apple’s recent acquisition of game studio RAC7, signaling a deeper investment by the company in mobile and subscription-based gaming.
Apple is also said to be pushing further into the healthcare sector, focusing on user wellbeing and preventive health. Rumors point toward the introduction of an AI-powered virtual health coach integrated within the Health app, capable of offering personalized lifestyle advice based on user data. Complementing this, the Health app itself might incorporate food tracking capabilities, allowing users easier management of nutritional intake, such as carbs and caffeine.
Battery performance may benefit from advanced AI-driven optimization techniques intended to extend battery lifespan and manage device charging more intelligently according to user behavior. Complementing this would be a useful visual element—a new lock screen charging indicator displaying more precise estimates of full battery charge time. An additional hardware-centered feature, reportedly in testing within iPhone 17 Pro models, involves reverse wireless charging that permits users to recharge accessories like AirPods or Apple Watch directly from their iPhone.
Communication applications, particularly Messages, may also receive significant enhancements. Apple Intelligence is speculated to deliver rapid in-app translations, translating incoming messages immediately upon receipt and aiding global communication. Another social and group interaction feature rumored for Messages could be a polling system, powered by Apple’s AI, which would help streamline group decisions by generating suggested poll options. Similar to competitors like WhatsApp and Instagram, Apple could also allow users to personalize their messaging experience further by setting custom backgrounds.
Additionally, speculation indicates Apple may introduce its macOS-exclusive Preview app to iPhones and iPads. The widely used utility, known for PDF annotation and document editing, could become a standard feature pre-installed on both platforms.
An intriguing novelty reportedly coming is an emoji-combination capability within Apple’s Genmoji feature, enabling users to blend existing emoji characters into unique combinations—expressive details such as combining a basketball emoji with a trashcan could become easily available to users.
One notable absence from current speculation, however, remains the advanced context-aware Siri enhancements Apple previewed the previous year. Originally forecast as a major step forward, these anticipated improvements in Apple’s virtual assistant functionality have reportedly been delayed indefinitely, with Apple confirming earlier in the year that these features were not yet ready for release.
While major artificial intelligence announcements may be expected, the keynote at WWDC 2025 is likely to emphasize Apple’s commitment to visual and functional refinements, highlighting enhanced user experiences through seamless integration across its software and hardware platforms.
