Apple is preparing to unveil iOS 26—or possibly iOS 19 if name-change rumors prove true—at WWDC 2025, which begins on June 9. While speculation around the name is intriguing, it’s the features and design that will truly define this year’s update.
With recent iOS releases being relatively modest, all eyes are on whether Apple can deliver something transformative. Here’s what we know (and expect) about iOS 26 so far.
1. Massive Interface Overhaul (Codename: Solarium)
After more than a decade of gradual design tweaks, Apple is reportedly planning the biggest iOS redesign since iOS 7. The project, internally referred to as “Solarium,” aims to make the interface:
- Simpler to use
- Faster to navigate
- Consistent across devices
Inspired by visionOS, the new design is expected to unify buttons, icons, and navigation patterns across iOS, macOS, and CarPlay. Mockups suggest a bold visual shift that could breathe new life into the iPhone experience.
2. Apple Intelligence 2.0 (or Redemption?)
Last year’s AI rollout was underwhelming. This year, Apple is looking to redeem itself with major AI enhancements, including:
- Smarter Siri with better contextual awareness
- AI-powered features across apps (Calendar, Mail, Photos)
- Third-party AI integration
- Potential battery optimization through AI
Although real-time multimodal AI like ChatGPT-4o or Gemini Live isn’t expected yet, Apple is reportedly working on a more aware Siri that understands your on-screen context, email history, and calendar entries.
3. Charging Estimate on Lock Screen
A small but highly practical feature: iOS 26 may display estimated time to full charge right on the lock screen. For users always on the go, this could be a very welcome addition.
4. Smart Messaging: Polls & Auto-Translation
The Messages app is getting two noteworthy upgrades:
- Polls: Add quick polls to group chats—e.g., where to eat tonight. Apple may even auto-suggest poll options based on conversation context.
- Auto-translation: Chat across languages with real-time message translation, making global communication seamless.
5. Notes App Gets Markdown
Markdown support is finally coming to the Apple Notes app, making it easier to export, format, and migrate content to other apps—great news for professionals and writers.
6. Apple Music Animation
Animated, full-screen album art might now appear on your lock screen—bringing Apple Music to life and improving immersion during playback. Rumors suggest Spotify may eventually get similar permissions.
7. CarPlay Redesign
CarPlay is also expected to benefit from the “Solarium” redesign—though details remain scarce. A more cohesive visual and user experience could make driving with an iPhone even smoother.
8. Accessibility: Going All In
Apple’s commitment to accessibility continues to shine with:
- Accessibility Nutrition Labels in the App Store
- New braille, reader, and live caption tools
- Eye tracking, BCI support, and motion cues
- Shareable accessibility settings
- Voice control updates for Xcode
- Expanded Apple Watch and CarPlay accessibility support
It’s a wide-ranging set of features that can benefit everyone, not just people with disabilities.
9. New Apple Apps & Updates
Apple is also rumored to be launching new first-party apps, including:
- Apple Games App: A modern replacement for Game Center, signaling renewed focus on mobile gaming
- Translate App Upgrade: Now with live translation, challenging Google Translate
- Health App Enhancements (Apple Health+): Features like food logging, videos, and personalized AI coaching
- RCS Support in Messages: Helping bridge iOS-Android messaging gaps
10. Other Small But Mighty Features
- New programming mode in Xcode for voice control users
- Custom haptic feedback in Music
- Improved Switch Control for Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Live Captions in new languages
- And possibly more “surprise” announcements at WWDC!
Final Thoughts
With WWDC 2025 just days away, excitement is reaching a fever pitch. If Apple executes well, iOS 26 could be the company’s most important OS update in years—delivering both a fresh interface and much-needed AI depth.
Users, developers, and tech enthusiasts alike should keep a close watch when the keynote streams live on June 9 at 10:30 PM IST.
