iOS 26 (iOS 19): In summary
- Will be previewed during WWDC’s keynote on 9 June
- Expected to be named iOS 26, not iOS 19, as part of Apple’s naming rationalisation
- Big design overhaul anticipated
Apple continues to push the boundaries of its operating systems, and with iOS 26 (previously thought to be called iOS 19) due to be announced soon, expectations are rising.
While official details remain under wraps until its unveiling, there’s much speculation and several leaks hinting at what’s to come.
Below, we have information on the expected release date, compatible devices, and the features that could define iOS 26.
When will iOS 26 (iOS 19) be released?
In summary
- Preview date: 9 June at WWDC
- Developers will then gain early access
- Public beta expected later on in the summer, likely July
Apple is set to preview iOS 26 (iOS 19) at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on 9 June 2025.
Following the announcement, developers will gain early access to test the software, with a public beta expected to roll out later in the summer, likely July.
Apple usually publicly releases its new version of iOS on the Monday after the? launch of the new iPhone lineup. Based on previous launch dates, a release of Monday, September 15, or Monday, September 22 seems likely.
Get more WWDC coverage from our sister site, Macworld – including a hilarious minute by minute simulation of the keynote.
Chris Martin / Foundry
However, Apple appears to be adopting a more staggered approach to feature rollouts.
Much like iOS 18, where features such as Apple Intelligence were gradually introduced, not all of iOS 26’s capabilities are expected to be available at launch.
Some of the most anticipated updates, such as the enhanced Siri powered by large language models (LLMs), are likely to debut in early 2026, potentially in iOS 26.4/19.4.
It’s possible that other platforms like macOS or iPadOS might be prioritised for major updates, especially given the groundwork needed for innovations including a touch-based Mac.
Why is it called iOS 26?
As for the name, Apple is reportedly set to change its approach to software naming in a rationalisation of its operating system naming convention. This makes sense as Apple variously has iOS 18, watchOS 11, and macOS 15 for its devices – a system that’s far from self-explanatory.
Sources: 9 to 5 Mac | Bloomberg
Which iPhones will be compatible with iOS 26 (iOS 19)?
In summary
- Full list of compatible iPhones not yet official
- Tech Advisor expects support to stretch back to the iPhone 11 and SE 2nd-gen
- Apple Intelligence will likely only available on iPhone 15 Pro and above – which will limit new features for older phones
Apple’s commitment to supporting older devices remains strong, although with each iteration of iOS, some models inevitably fall off the list.
Although the exact iOS 19 compatibility list hasn’t been confirmed, below are the devices we expect to be supported:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 17 Plus
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd Gen or later)
However, Apple Intelligence will only be available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, plus all iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 models.
Source: MacRumors
What new features will be available in iOS 26 (iOS 19)?
In summary
- visionOS-inspired design overhaul
- AirPods live language translation
- Siri powered by LLM (large language model)
A comprehensive redesign
iOS 26 could be the operating system update to get excited about. Many sources say that we can expect a big design overhaul, inspired by visionOS, which was created for the Vision Pro, Apple’s mixed reality headset. Within Apple, the design project has been codenamed “Solarium”.
It’s suspected that this may refer to visionOS’s use of a translucent interface, and that iOS 26 could feature similarly glassy floating menus and windows.
It’s also thought to involve condensing settings and modes, fluid animations, and a swiping mechanism for navigation, making the interface more user-focused.
This would be the first major redesign since iOS 7, potentially starting with incremental updates to core apps before expanding further.
The Camera app is expected to be a key focal point of the redesign, with a cleaner, more streamlined interface with fewer distractions around the viewfinder. Notably, it may also incorporate options such as resolution and frame rate controls directly within the app, a feature long present in Android devices.
Sources: MacRumors | 9to5Mac | fpt via YouTube
AirPods to get live language translation
AirPods are forecast to get the “Babel fish” treatment. In Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the Babel fish could be inserted into an ear canal and would instantly translate any conversation heard into the wearer’s own language.
iOS 26 is to include an update that’ll allow AirPods to do the very same thing – minus the seafood overtones.
Source: Bloomberg
Smarter Siri with Large Language Models (LLM)
Give the way that Siri has fallen behind other voice assistants, one of the most useful updates in iOS 26 is expected to be the introduction of an enhanced Siri powered by LLM technology.
Foundry
This transformative update aims to make Siri more conversational and capable of understanding and generating natural, human-like language. Users can expect Siri to perform more complex tasks, hold context-aware conversations, and assist with a broader range of queries.
Apple has been testing this advanced Siri internally and plans to integrate it across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. However, this upgrade may not appear in time for the iOS 26 launch. Instead, it could debut in spring 2026 as part of iOS 26.4.
Nonetheless, while iPhone users can currently download and use Gemini, Apple and Google are reportedly reaching an agreement to feature Gemini on iPhone in a more integrated way. Google Gemini would add functionality to Siri and Writing Tools on iPhone models compatible with Apple Intelligence.
Source: Bloomberg | MacRumors
Stage Manager
The Mac app organiser Stage Manager is rumoured to be making its iPhone debut. It’ll only be available on iPhone models with a USB-C port – all iPhone 15 handsets and newer models – which can be connected to an external display.
It’s envisaged that this will give a productivity boost to anyone working across multiple apps.
Source: Majin Bu
Expanded Apple Intelligence
Building on the foundations laid in iOS 18, Apple Intelligence will see further enhancements in iOS 26. Chief among these is AI battery management, which will analyse your phone usage and help you to maximise battery life – a feature that’ll surely be appreciated by iPhone 17 Air buyers, where battery size is the compromise for the phone’s slimness and light weight.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Source: MacRumors
Other features
- A new Games App will replace the Game Center app, offering new features to mobile gamers.
- A new connectivity feature will mean seamless access to captive Wi-Fi networks across a number of Apple devices from a single login.
- A new AI-powered Health app is coming, although it may not arrive in time for the launch of iOS 26.
- Accessibility features include further customisation options for Music Haptics, CarPlay and more, while App Store products will feature new labels with accessibility information.
Source: MacRumors
A shift in software rollouts
While not a feature in itself, a significant shift in Apple’s approach to software development may influence when iOS 26 features roll out.
Foundry
The brand is expected to move away from rigid, annual feature launches, instead focusing on releasing updates when they are ready.
This strategy aims to ensure a more polished and refined experience for users – and avoid a repeat of the unfulfilled Apple Intelligence promises, in which AI features were announced at September 2024’s Apple Event, and subsequently failed to materialise. This strategy means that we may see fewer features at launch.
Foundry
Sources: Bloomberg | Mark Gurman on X
While we wait for WWDC, be sure to check out what we know about the iPhone 17 series.
Topic: iOS 26 (iOS 19): Everything we know ahead of WWDC (Read 159 times)
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April 13, 2025, 10:18:36 AM