I did not suppose I would be speaking about iOS 26 earlier than the 12 months 2032, however right here we’re. At WWDC 2025, Apple will seemingly announce the newest replace for iPhones, full with new options and a recent naming scheme.
We cannot know for positive what Apple is planning till they formally announce it, however there’s cause to consider some leaks and rumors are correct. I have been following these leaks and rumors carefully as they’ve trickled in, and have a great sense of what to anticipate with iOS 26. Not all the rumored options are winners—cough cough, Apple Intelligence—however there are others I am genuinely excited for. Listed here are six of the options I hope actually do make it to iOS 26.
RCS Finish-to-end encryption
RCS support was most likely my favourite new function of the iOS 18 period. For the primary time since iMessage launched in 2011, iPhones and Android might textual content one another natively with out resorting to SMS. The bubbles would possibly nonetheless be inexperienced, however at the least group chats are intact.
One main RCS perk has been lacking because it launched on iOS, nevertheless: encryption. Whereas RCS presently helps high-quality photographs and movies, your messages despatched with this protocol are as unprotected as they’re over SMS. Finish-to-end encryption (E2EE) ensures that solely the units concerned within the chat can decrypt and browse the messages which might be despatched. Nobody else, not even Apple, can learn E2EE. It is a bummer, as a result of RCS does assist encryption (though even Android devices need to deal with some quirks here, as effectively).
Fortunately, we all know that E2EE is coming to RCS on iPhone—we simply do not know precisely when. Apple confirmed back in March that RCS encryption is on its means “in future software program updates,” which might imply iOS 26, but additionally iOS 26.1 or another variety of updates. Personally, I hope it is sooner somewhat than later.
Reside Translate for AirPods
Image this: You are speaking to somebody who speaks a language you do not. However as they converse, you hear their phrases translated to your language in your ear. It seems like the long run, but it surely’s very a lot the current—and it is perhaps coming to AirPods.
That’s according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who reported in March that sure AirPods fashions could be getting this “reside translate” function. Whereas Apple is outwardly making an attempt to maintain this function as secret as potential, Gurman says that AirPods will translate your conversationalist’s phrases in your ears, whereas your iPhone will translate your phrases within the different particular person’s language.
And truly, the function is nothing new: Google’s Pixel Buds have had live translation for years at this level, by way of Dialog mode within the Translate app. It really works the identical means as Gurman describes Apple’s imaginative and prescient, so there’s a clear precedent right here. Nonetheless, I would love if this function actually did ship with iOS 26.
A brand new search for iOS
If something about iOS 26, you would possibly know that Apple is planning a visible overhaul for the iPhone. If the rumors are true, the modifications transcend the cellular gadget: Apple is reportedly engaged on a design change throughout all of its merchandise, to unify the look of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS.
The principle UI inspiration appears to return from Apple’s latest product of the bunch, Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional: Icons and components are rounded, home windows and menu bars are floating and translucent, and there are recent animations.
You’ll be able to see an instance of what this would possibly appear to be from this Jon Prosser video, which showcases an iOS 26 mock-up based mostly on leaked designs:
It is not essentially the design itself I am enthusiastic about, however the change typically. Whereas Apple has blended up its UI a bit over time, the final design language has been constructing off iOS 7, which dropped over a decade in the past. Whereas my nostalgic aspect would like to see Apple convey again the skeuomorphic design of iOS 6 and earlier, I welcome any new UI that appears good. And if I get an identical expertise throughout my iPhone, Mac, and iPad, all the higher.
A Stage Supervisor-like interface
If in case you have a appropriate iPad, you’ll be able to plug it into an exterior monitor, and lengthen your show such as you would with a laptop computer. It is a part of a function Apple calls Stage Manager, and it is a cool option to make your iPad a bit extra helpful for critical computing duties.
What do you suppose to this point?
Rumor has it Apple is working on something similar for the iPhone. Ought to the leaks be true, you can plug your USB-C iPhone right into a monitor, and whilst you will not have the ability to use it like a pc, you can lengthen your display area to match the show.
This can be a nice thought, and one thing that will make the iPhone a conveyable presentation station. If in case you have a slideshow, a video, or any kind of demonstration in your iPhone, you may share it full-screen on any linked monitor. It’d pale compared to something like Samsung DeX, which turns your Galaxy cellphone into a real desktop expertise, however I really feel this could possibly be the beginning of one thing comparable on iOS.
Fewer glitches
I do not want a lot from Apple on the subject of the iPhone, but when I had a single request, I would ask for a extra steady expertise. Usually, factor are good, however I do run into a number of small points each day, and I am keen to wager you do too in case you have an iPhone.
According to Mark Gurman, decreasing glitches is a excessive precedence for Apple. He says the corporate is “pushing engineers to make sure that this 12 months’s releases are extra useful and fewer glitchy. Previous upgrades had been criticized for bugs and options that generally didn’t work correctly.”
Sounds good to me, Apple.
AI-powered battery life enhancements
I won’t be excited for any of Apple’s new generative AI options, however I would be mendacity if battery life enhancements powered by AI did not pique my curiosity. All of us need our iPhones to last more between fees, in spite of everything.
In the identical report that spilled the beans on the “much less glichy” objective, Gurman says Apple is engaged on a function that may analyze your iPhone utilization, and make modifications to preserve battery life when potential. Perhaps the AI notices that you do not benefit from intensive options in sure apps, and as such, reduces the efficiency of these apps to prioritize vitality conservation.
What I like even higher, although, is that Apple is reportedly engaged on a Lock Display utility that tells you ways lengthy it will take to complete charging your iPhone. These are the small but mighty modifications I wish to see from Apple.
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