WWDC 2025: What to Expect From Apple's Big Software Reveal

Apple is set to pull back the curtain on its next-generation software at its Worldwide Developers Conference, with the main keynote scheduled for Monday, June 9. The event is widely expected to revolve around a significant overhaul of the company's operating systems, featuring a fresh design language and a new naming convention, but may be lighter on the transformative AI features some have been anticipating.

The biggest change is expected to be a major visual redesign across Apple's platforms, internally codenamed "Solarium." This new interface is reportedly inspired by the "digital glass" and transparency effects of visionOS, aiming to create a more cohesive and modern feel. This vision has been echoed by designers like Sebastiaan de With, who imagined a future of "Living Glass" for iOS. Leaks from Jon Prosser have showcased updated icons and floating tab bars that align with this new aesthetic, though Mark Gurman has cautioned that some early mockups miss the mark. The overhaul is said to extend across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and even watchOS.




This redesign will coincide with a shift to a year-based branding for all of Apple's operating systems. We expect to see iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26, while the next version of macOS will likely be named macOS Tahoe. This software transition will reportedly come with a change in hardware support, as iOS 26 is rumored to drop support for iPhones with the A12 Bionic chip, including the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

For the iPad, Apple is planning to make the software more like macOS, with a focus on productivity and multitasking. Leaks suggest this could include an optional macOS-style menu bar when a keyboard is attached and an updated Stage Manager. The Phone, Safari, and Camera apps are all slated for a revamp, and Apple is reportedly bringing its Preview app to the iPhone and iPad. A new Games app will also be preinstalled to serve as a central hub for game downloads and Apple Arcade.

Several smaller but welcome enhancements are also rumored for core apps. The Messages app may gain automatic translation and user-created polls. The Music app could see full-screen animated album artwork on the Lock Screen, while Apple Notes may finally get the ability to export notes in Markdown. For AirPods, a new live translation feature is anticipated, alongside other rumored capabilities like sleep auto-pause and remote camera control. watchOS 26 is expected to gain support for third-party widgets in Control Center.

On the AI front, consumer-facing features may be more limited than many had hoped. The biggest AI news for developers will be Apple opening up its on-device foundation models for the first time. The company is also expected to debut an AI-powered battery saver mode and a system for syncing captive Wi-Fi logins. Several more ambitious AI projects, including the revamped Siri and an AI health coach, have reportedly been delayed and are not expected to be detailed at this year's event.


No major new hardware is expected to be announced at this year's event, with the next iPhone and Apple Watch updates still on track for their usual fall debut. That said, there's always the possibility of a preview of what's to come. The Mac Pro, for instance, is a prime candidate for a refresh. Unfortunately, the current M4 Max lacks an UltraFusion connector, making a fused M4 Ultra upgrade unlikely. Similarly, while the rumored smart home hub with a screen has faced delays, a sneak peek isn't out of the question.

Ultimately, WWDC 2025 appears to be a foundational year for Apple. The company is set to lay the groundwork with a unified design language and naming scheme, while refining existing features and cautiously expanding its AI toolkit for developers. While the most transformative AI capabilities may still be on the horizon, the focus on a more cohesive and polished user experience could set the stage for bigger things to come. The full picture will become clear when Apple executives take the virtual stage on Monday. Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for full coverage of the event.