Apple is gearing up for what could be its biggest iPhone software overhaul in over a decade, with iOS 19 expected to bring major system-wide changes.
Although iOS 18 is still rolling out updates, attention is already shifting to what’s next, and early reports suggest Apple is planning a dramatic redesign that could fundamentally change how iPhones look and function.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, iOS 19 will introduce a fresh new look, impacting everything from icons and menus to system buttons and windows.
Gurman claimed: “iOS 19 will fundamentally change the look of the operating systems and make Apple’s various software platforms more consistent, according to people familiar with the effort”.
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The redesign is rumored to take inspiration from visionOS, the software behind Apple’s Vision Pro headset. If true, this could mean a sleeker, more modern interface with enhanced navigation, bringing a more unified experience across iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
The last time Apple made significant visual changes to iOS was back in 2013 with iOS 7, which introduced flatter icons and a new animation style. If iOS 19 follows through with these rumored changes, it would mark the most significant UI update in over 10 years.
One of the first glimpses of iOS 19’s new design reportedly comes from Jon Prosser at Front Page Tech. In the YouTube video above, Prosser claimed to have seen the revamped Camera app and shared renders of what users can expect.
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If true, the redesign will prioritize a minimalist approach, featuring translucent controls to maximize the viewfinder space. Users will see a simplified button system that allows quick switching between still images and video modes, with settings appearing only when needed.
Interestingly, this redesign was rumored to arrive with iOS 18, suggesting Apple has been working on it for a while.
Apple has been gradually improving Siri, but iOS 19 could introduce its most significant update yet. The long-standing issue of Siri operating on separate systems — one for basic commands and another for complex tasks — might finally be resolved.
A report from 9to5Mac suggests that iOS 19 will merge these separate versions into one, allowing for faster responses and a more conversational experience.
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Hinting that some AI-based improvements could be delayed further, Gurman also noted: “Everything I’ve heard suggests that iOS 19 will not include any significant consumer-facing changes to Apple Intelligence”.
Additionally, Apple may be looking to replace its ChatGPT integration with a proprietary chatbot, aligning with its emphasis on privacy and on-device AI processing. However, it remains unclear if this feature will launch with iOS 19 or arrive later in an update.
With Apple heavily investing in AI features, many expected iOS 19 to bring major improvements in this area. Another report from Gurman at Bloomberg states that iOS 19 won’t have any “significant consumer-facing changes to Apple Intelligence”.
Apple Intelligence on a smartphone (Getty Images)
On the plus side, iOS 19 is expected to be compatible with all devices currently running iOS 18.
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According to a report from the French outlet iPhonesoft, iPhones as old as the XR and XS series will still receive the update, though some of the more advanced features will likely require newer hardware, such as the A17 Pro chip or later.
Apple will officially unveil iOS 19 at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) this summer, with a public launch expected in the fall alongside the iPhone 17 series. Given the scale of rumored changes, Apple is likely to start teasing details well before then.