Apple’s Biggest OS Overhaul in Years

• Apple is set to revamp iOS, iPadOS, and macOS with a more unified design and improved usability across devices.
• While the redesign aims to enhance user experience, Apple has delayed key AI-powered Siri upgrades until 2026.

A reliable new source said that Apple is working hard on one major software update set to bring iPhones, iPads, and Macs all-new appearances and improved usability. Due this year, this update is to be named iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16. The updates main aim is to make the devices simpler to navigate and provide a more seamless experience across the board.

One More-Connected Apple Experience

Apple always aims for a seamless and intuitive user experience that contrasts with the rebranding at hand. It is said that the redesigner introduced a more uniform visual style, with changes in the appearance of the app screen, menus, and system buttons. It also took notes from the visionOS concept, an operating system meant to drive the future Vision Pro headset, to make navigation and control with iOS even higher.

All in all, from the perspective of everyday users, they will witness a transition between an iPhone, iPad, and MacBook, with a sleeker look and more modern feel. So Apple will be making the ecosystem feel even stronger, no matter whether you work on a MacBook, watch something with an iPad or send messages as you please with an iPhone.

Change Can Be Stunning, But Not for Everyone

While some might welcome a fresh look and added user-friendliness, others are expected to be wary of major design changes. Remember when iOS 7 came on board with its minimalist design for the first time back in 2013, on which Apple received lots of backlash? But with time, everyone accepted the changes.

The question is whether, after getting used to it, you will rediscover something really useful and refined, or you will get some headaches because you are an old user and have your whole work, communication, and entertainment treated dependently solely on the familiar interface with Apple. Time will tell if Apple will hold up its tradition of made-to-please changes.

AI Features Pose Unexpected Delays

While Apple was racing ahead with its operating-system projects, other Apple projects, early into the development cycle, appeared to be on slow paths. For example, some AI-related Siri shortcomings will now be pushed back to the year 2026 from the previously announced release date of some features this year. There still is no official explanation regarding these backlogs, but this will put Apple at a disadvantage for the many companies that have already rolled out advanced AI solutions.

Though Apple is moving along well with artificial intelligence, it’s not at a standstill on the matter. During the earlier part of the year, Apple began rolling out “Apple Intelligence,” which ships with an update of AI features by default for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. By April, these capabilities will be ready for use on the Vision Pro headset, starting with U.S. English before expanding to other languages of the world.

What’s Up Next?

Apple’s brand-new software updates are more likely to be unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this June, where more precise ideas of what’s changing are likely to appear as well. With iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 coming up next, this is going to be a great opportunity for a more unified and modern experience for Apple users—though users may take a while to start tapping into it.

However, Siri needs to do some work on appreciation, and here lies the big question: will Apple fans have to wait a bit for those improvements?