Enthusiasts of Apple iPhones may soon experience a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of watching their children grow up too quickly. Recent reports indicate that the tech giant is planning to deviate from its traditional naming convention. Instead of the anticipated iOS 19, the latest operating system will be dubbed iOS 26, aligning with the upcoming year. This change will be reflected across all Apple products, including iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, which will also feature a comprehensive redesign. If the plan unfolds as expected, the subsequent update will be named iOS 27, and so on.

This new naming convention implies that iPadOS 19 will be replaced by iPadOS 26, and macOS 16 will give way to macOS 26. The Apple Vision Pro will undergo a significant leap, transitioning from visionOS 2 to visionOS 26. This reported name change is attributed to Mark Gurman, a Bloomberg tech journalist, who has cited anonymous sources. Apple’s objective is to unify its user interface across all platforms, a strategy that is expected to be elaborated upon at the WWDC 2025 event, scheduled for June 9.

According to Gurman’s latest reports, the next UI iteration will feature circular bubble icons for various apps and desktops across Apple’s range of devices, including phones, Macs, and more. The goal is to create a more cohesive ecosystem for the average user. However, for customers accustomed to the current user experience on each of Apple’s product lines, the changes may prove perplexing. The full extent of these changes will remain uncertain until Apple reveals its plans. The redesigned iOS, expected to debut in the fall (typically September), will likely accompany the release of the iPhone 17, which includes a reportedly thicker and heavier iPhone 17 Pro Max and the ultra-light iPhone 17 Air.

One promising aspect of the software revamp is the potential for Apple to create a more Mac-like experience for the iPad. Although Apple’s tablets are among the best in the industry, they still struggle with multitasking. The latest iPad Air and iPad Pro models feature redesigned Magic Keyboards with a full function row, but to achieve a full computer experience, Apple needs to develop a UI that allows for greater app placement freedom.

Apple’s new naming scheme has a precedent in Samsung’s approach to its Galaxy phones, where devices are named according to the year of release. For instance, the current Galaxy S25 is expected to be followed by the Galaxy S26. What makes Apple’s decision more confusing is the reported decision to move the number ahead by one year, similar to the practice of car manufacturers, where a 2025 model would be named 2026. This suggests that the full extent of each OS update may not arrive until six months after the company’s annual update plan reveal, typically in September.

Gurman also hints at the possibility of a new live-translation mode for AirPods, integrated with Siri. Additionally, Apple may open its platform to allow more third-party AI companies, such as OpenAI and Anthropic, the makers of Claude, to integrate their services. The still-missing Apple Intelligence features may also see some developments. Further details are expected to be revealed at WWDC in just a few weeks.