Reliable reports indicate that Apple is preparing for a major visual makeover of its mobile operating system. Rumor has it that iOS 18 may launch with a new look as early as this year. Although specifics are still scarce, prominent Apple analyst Mark Gurman alluded to the possibility of an updated iOS design appearing sooner rather than later in his “Power On” newsletter for Bloomberg. Check out the details.
Apple iOS 18 to Undergo Major Design Changes; Says Mark Gurman
Gurman’s observations are consistent with earlier speculation from MacRumors that iOS 18 was influenced by visionOS, the operating system that powers Apple’s most recent mixed reality headset aka spatial computer, the Vision Pro. Gurman declined to provide specifics but hinted that iOS 18 will be “ambitious and compelling,” implying that there will be more than just surface-level adjustments.
According to rumors, the update may bring a number of significant new features and designs, possibly including subtly visionOS-inspired elements in the navigation bar and system menus. In addition, Safari and other built-in apps might get a makeover to adopt a sleeker, more modern design. Deeper integration of generative AI technologies is also being discussed; this could affect Siri’s functionality and bring in brand-new machine learning-driven features.
Though iOS looks like it’s about to get a redesign, the same cannot be said for macOS. Gurman claims that Apple is only now investigating possible changes to the desktop operating system’s design, with a potential release date of 2025 or 2026. This trajectory corresponds to the standard update cycle for major macOS redesigns, with macOS Big Sur bringing the most recent major redesign in 2020.
It is expected that iOS 18 will be officially unveiled at Apple’s yearly Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which is usually held in June. A public beta is anticipated to launch soon after the announcement, and the final update is scheduled to be released in September, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 16 lineup.
Overall, speculation about iOS 18 points to a significant update that may include both a visual makeover and intriguing new features, even though specifics are still scarce. However, those who use macOS might have to wait for updates regarding a comparable redesign. With WWDC just around the corner, Apple is well-positioned to provide additional details in the coming months regarding the future directions of macOS and iOS.
