iOS 26 is coming tomorrow at WWDC 2025: 10 features worth waiting for

India Today

4 hours ago

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is just around the corner—set for June 9—and while the fanfare may focus on AI wizardry and developer updates, all eyes are on what iOS 26 has in store. This time around, the Cupertino giant isn't chasing flashy gimmicks or radical overhauls. Instead, it's promising quality-of-life upgrades you'll use, and perhaps even appreciate. Let's take a look at these 10 rumoured features that may be unveiled during WWDC 2025. advertisementApple Vision Pro-inspired design overhaulWhile the focus may be utility over spectacle, that doesn't mean Apple's going to skip visuals. According to Bloomberg, iOS 26 is poised to bring the most significant design overhaul since iOS 7. Inspired by the company's Vision Pro headset, the OS may feature translucent panels, circular app icons, and an overall more immersive feel. The design language is expected to extend across Apple's entire ecosystem, from iPhones and iPads to CarPlay.Among the apps getting a facelift, the Phone app, which may let users combine favourite contacts, call history, and voicemails into a unified view. Safari could sport a more transparent address bar, and the Camera app may see UI tweaks too.Evolved emojis
The iOS 26 is expected to bring a playful new feature that lets users merge any two emojis to create a completely new one. Whether it's a robot-meets-unicorn or a laughing face paired with a pizza slice, Apple seems to want your chats to look a little more like comic strips. While it may sound like fluff, it's a creative twist that adds a bit of fun to messaging and social media.AI to take care of battery healthadvertisementApple is putting artificial intelligence to work in a rather practical way. A new AI-powered battery mode could help your iPhone squeeze out more juice, not by dimming your screen or shutting everything off, but by learning how you use your phone and adjusting in the background. Think of it as a smart assistant that quietly conserves power without being annoying.This builds on Apple's larger push into AI across its ecosystem. Though it hasn't jumped on the chatbot bandwagon as quickly as others, iOS 26 marks a subtle but steady shift.Messages App: Translation, polls and personalisationAI is also expected to play a larger role in the Messages app. One standout rumour? Real-time message translation. With Apple Intelligence baked into the system, messages in foreign languages could be automatically translated as they arrive, ideal for group chats, travellers, and global teams. There's also talk of a new polling feature, complete with AI-generated suggestions, to make group decisions a breeze.On the personalisation front, Messages may soon let you set background images, much like WhatsApp or Instagram. Custom vibes for different chats? Yes, please.Real-time translation beyond MessagesSpeaking of translation, Apple's long-standing Live Translation tool is set to expand beyond apps like Translate and Messages. iOS 26 could allow real-time voice translation during calls, and even through AirPods, making multilingual conversations as seamless as ever. Whether you're ordering food abroad or chatting with distant relatives, the language barrier might finally crack.AccessibilityadvertisementApple is also leaning into accessibility. iOS 26 could introduce a system-wide Reader mode, simplifying text across all apps for those with visual or cognitive impairments. Improved App Store labelling is also said to be on the cards, making apps easier to evaluate before downloading.In the connectivity department, captive Wi-Fi networks (the kind you get in airports and hotels) will become smarter, connecting more smoothly without constant pop-ups. Small, yes—but truly welcome.Health, now with a personal coachOne of the more ambitious updates may come in the form of a virtual health coach. Tied to Apple's Health app and powered by AI, this assistant will reportedly suggest lifestyle changes, analyse your data, and even advise on diet. A revamped Health app is expected to include food-tracking tools, helping users log their carbohydrate and caffeine intake—especially helpful for fitness buffs or those managing health conditions.A desktop mode for iPhone?Another rumour that has tech enthusiasts buzzing is the upcoming desktop mode for iPhones. According to leaker Majin Bu, Apple may allow iPhones with USB-C ports to connect to external monitors, offering a Stage Manager-style interface. While this would mirror what iPads and Macs can already do, bringing it to the iPhone could open up new productivity use-cases—especially for those who work on the go. Nothing is confirmed yet, but hopes are high.advertisementArrival of homeOSWWDC 2025 isn't all about phones. The company is rumoured to unveil a brand-new operating system for its smart home ecosystem, dubbed homeOS. While details are scarce, this could mean deeper integration between HomePods, iPads, and smart appliances, possibly even paving the way for a new iPad-like smart home device.Preview app coming to iPhones and iPadsAnother macOS staple may finally make its way to iOS. Apple's Preview app, best known for editing PDFs and images, could debut on both iPhones and iPads. Bloomberg reports this will be a pre-installed app, allowing users to annotate documents with ease, bringing more productivity features to mobile.And what about Siri?Surprisingly, Apple's long-standing voice assistant may not be getting the makeover many expected—at least not yet. Major Siri upgrades are reportedly still under development, with Apple's focus more on laying foundational AI tools for now.WWDC 2025: How and where to watch? The grand unveiling of iOS 26 and other updates will take place at WWDC 2025, which kicks off on June 9. Expect keynote addresses, developer sessions, and hands-on previews, though some features may only go live in the autumn when the next iPhones launch. Interested users can watch the livestream on Apple's official YouTube channel.