I did not suppose I might be speaking about iOS 26 earlier than the 12 months 2032, however right here we’re. At WWDC 2025, Apple will possible announce the most recent replace for iPhones, full with new options and a contemporary naming scheme.
We cannot know for certain what Apple is planning till they formally announce it, however there’s cause to imagine 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 below are six of the options I hope actually do make it to iOS 26.
RCS Finish-to-end encryption
RCS assist was most likely my favourite new function of the iOS 18 period. For the primary time since iMessage launched in 2011, iPhones and Android may textual content one another natively with out resorting to SMS. The bubbles may nonetheless be inexperienced, however at the least group chats are intact.
One main RCS perk has been lacking because it launched on iOS, nonetheless: encryption. Whereas RCS at present helps high-quality photos 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 gadgets concerned within the chat can decrypt and skim 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 (although even Android gadgets must cope with some quirks right here, as nicely).
Fortunately, we all know that E2EE is coming to RCS on iPhone—we simply do not know precisely when. Apple confirmed again in March that RCS encryption is on its method “in future software program updates,” which may imply iOS 26, but in addition iOS 26.1 or every other 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 communicate, you hear their phrases translated to your language in your ear. It seems like the long run, however it’s very a lot the current—and it could be coming to AirPods.
That is based on Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who reported in March that sure AirPods fashions could be getting this “dwell translate” function. Whereas Apple is seemingly attempting to maintain this function as secret as doable, Gurman says that AirPods will translate your conversationalist’s phrases in your ears, whereas your iPhone will translate your phrases within the different individual’s language.
And truly, the function is nothing new: Google’s Pixel Buds have had dwell translation for years at this level, by way of Dialog mode within the Translate app. It really works the identical method as Gurman describes Apple’s imaginative and prescient, so there’s a clear precedent right here. Nonetheless, I might love if this function actually did ship with iOS 26.
A brand new search for iOS
If you already know something about iOS 26, you may know that Apple is planning a visible overhaul for the iPhone. If the rumors are true, the adjustments transcend the cellular system: 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 contemporary animations.
You may see an instance of what this may appear like 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 on the whole. Whereas Apple has blended up its UI a bit through the years, the overall design language has been constructing off iOS 7, which dropped over a decade in the past. Whereas my nostalgic facet 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 analogous expertise throughout my iPhone, Mac, and iPad, all the higher.
A Stage Supervisor-like interface
In case you have a appropriate iPad, you possibly can 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 Supervisor, and it is a cool approach to make your iPad a bit extra helpful for severe computing duties.
What do you suppose to this point?
Rumor has it Apple is engaged on one thing related for the iPhone. Ought to the leaks be true, you’ll plug your USB-C iPhone right into a monitor, and when you will not be capable to use it like a pc, you’ll lengthen your display screen house to match the show.
It is a nice concept, and one thing that might make the iPhone a conveyable presentation station. In case you have a slideshow, a video, or any sort of demonstration in your iPhone, you can share it full-screen on any related monitor. It’d pale compared to one thing like Samsung DeX, which turns your Galaxy cellphone into a real desktop expertise, however I really feel this might be the beginning of one thing related on iOS.
Fewer glitches
I do not want a lot from Apple in the case of the iPhone, but when I had a single request, I might ask for a extra steady expertise. Usually, factor are good, however I do run into a whole lot of small points each day, and I am prepared to guess you do too you probably have an iPhone.
In line with Mark Gurman, lowering 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 practical and fewer glitchy. Previous upgrades have been criticized for bugs and options that typically didn’t work correctly.”
Sounds good to me, Apple.
AI-powered battery life enhancements
I may not be excited for any of Apple’s new generative AI options, however I might be mendacity if battery life enhancements powered by AI did not pique my curiosity. All of us need our iPhones to last more between costs, in any case.
In the identical report that spilled the beans on the “much less glichy” aim, Gurman says Apple is engaged on a function that may analyze your iPhone utilization, and make adjustments to preserve battery life when doable. Possibly 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 power conservation.
What I like even higher, although, is that Apple is reportedly engaged on a Lock Display utility that tells you the way lengthy it will take to complete charging your iPhone. These are the small but mighty adjustments I wish to see from Apple.
