I did not suppose I might be speaking about iOS 26 earlier than the yr 2032, however right here we’re. At WWDC 2025, Apple will doubtless announce the most recent replace for iPhones, full with new options and a contemporary naming scheme.
We cannot know for positive what Apple is planning till they formally announce it, however there’s motive 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 the entire 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 characteristic 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 would possibly nonetheless be inexperienced, however at the very 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 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 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 units have to 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 means “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 fairly 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 feels like the long run, nevertheless it’s very a lot the current—and it is likely to be coming to AirPods.
That is in keeping with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who reported in March that sure AirPods fashions could be getting this “reside translate” characteristic. Whereas Apple is seemingly making an attempt to maintain this characteristic as secret as attainable, 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 characteristic is nothing new: Google’s Pixel Buds have had reside 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 might love if this characteristic actually did ship with iOS 26.
A brand new search for iOS
If you recognize something about iOS 26, you would possibly know that Apple is planning a visible overhaul for the iPhone. If the rumors are true, the adjustments transcend the cell 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 primary UI inspiration appears to come back 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 would possibly appear like from this Jon Prosser video, which showcases an iOS 26 mock-up based mostly on leaked designs:
It isn’t essentially the design itself I am enthusiastic about, however the change usually. 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 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
If in case you have a suitable iPad, you’ll be able to plug it into an exterior monitor, and prolong your show such as you would with a laptop computer. It is a part of a characteristic Apple calls Stage Supervisor, and it is a cool method 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 have the ability to use it like a pc, you’ll prolong your display screen area to match the show.
It is 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 sort of demonstration in your iPhone, you might share it full-screen on any linked monitor. It’d pale compared to one thing like Samsung DeX, which turns your Galaxy telephone 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 relating to the iPhone, but when I had a single request, I might ask for a extra secure expertise. Basically, factor are good, however I do run into lots of small points day after day, and I am prepared to wager you do too when you’ve got an iPhone.
In accordance with Mark Gurman, decreasing glitches is a excessive precedence for Apple. He says the corporate is “pushing engineers to make sure that this yr’s releases are extra useful and fewer glitchy. Previous upgrades have 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 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 expenses, 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 characteristic that may analyze your iPhone utilization, and make adjustments to preserve battery life when attainable. 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 vitality 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 need to see from Apple.
