With less than a week to go for the Worldwide Developer Conference 2025, rumour has it that Apple will be bringing some big changes to its operating system naming scheme and introducing a redesigned iOS inspired by the Apple Vision Pro’s visionOS.
Some reports have hinted that Apple will be renaming iOS 19 to iOS 26 to make its branding consistent, but, as is the case every year, not much is known about the company’s plans. Also, that hasn’t stopped rumours and leaks from making their way on the internet. From naming changes to design overhaul, here’s everything we know so far about Apple’s upcoming operating system for the iPhone.
New design
Apart from making its operating system version numbers the same across all platforms, Apple is also reportedly giving iOS a major design overhaul. The new user interface, which will most likely take inspiration from visionOS, is expected to add a new floating tab bar, at least to first-party Apple apps.
Moreover, both Front Page Tech’s Jon Prosser and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman have said that iOS 26 will have a visionOS-like design, which would be the biggest change since iOS 7. Prosser says that the upcoming version of iOS will have a glass-like appearance with translucent menus, buttons and more.
Stage Manager
Earlier this year, in April, known Apple leaker Majin Bu claimed that the upcoming iOS version will introduce a fairly limited version of Stage Manager, at least on iPhones with a USB-C port. Citing sources, the tipster said that when users connect the iPhone to an external display, they will be greeted with a Stage Manager-like interface that lets them manage and open multiple apps at once.
AI battery management
With the upcoming iOS 26 update, Apple may be working on a new generative AI-powered feature that helps you better manage the iPhone’s battery life. This feature will reportedly be a part of Apple Intelligence and work by analysing battery data and user habits over time.
Based on your usage patterns, the AI-powered battery management feature will also include a Lock Screen indicator that shows how much time it will take to fully charge the device.
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Automatic message translation
Apple is expected to announce a ton of new features at the WWDC, and one of them might let you automatically translate messages. Using generative AI, it looks like the built-in Message app on iPhones will translate both incoming and outgoing messages without any user intervention.
Updated camera app
According to several previous leaks, Apple is also making some changes to the Camera app. Like the rest of the operating system, the built-in camera app is also expected to get the visionOS treatment with some cleaner UI elements. new swipe settings and smoother transitions.
Dedicated gaming mode
Apple iPhones are known for their superior performance, but unlike their Android counterparts, iOS does not currently sport a dedicated gaming mode. However, that may change with iOS 26, as Apple is expected to introduce a new centralised hub that includes everything from achievements, leaderboards and content from Apple Arcade.
New accessibility features
Last month, Apple showcased some of the new accessibility features coming to the next version of iOS. Some of these include a new system-wide Accessibility Reader tool, Braille Access and an on-device AI-powered Personal Voice, which can help you replicate your voice using just 10 recorded phrases.
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