WWDC 25: Apple Skips from iOS 19 to iOS 26 — Here's Why and What to Expect
Date: June 9, 2025 — Location: Apple Park, Cupertino
In a bold and unexpected move, Apple has officially skipped from iOS 19 straight to iOS 26, bypassing seven version numbers. This major leap, unveiled at WWDC 25, marks a significant shift in the iPhone’s operating system — both in functionality and philosophy. The update includes cutting-edge AI features, a revamped UI, and major upgrades to system apps.
Why Did Apple Skip iOS 20–25?
The jump from iOS 19 to 26 is largely symbolic. Apple has not made an official statement, but sources suggest it reflects:
- Unification across platforms: Aligning iOS with internal versioning of macOS, watchOS, and visionOS.
- Marketing psychology: Higher numbers imply major progress, appealing to consumers.
- A clean break: A fresh start focused on AI and next-gen experiences.
Top iOS 26 Features
iOS 26 is Apple’s most forward-thinking update yet. Here are some key highlights:
- Liquid Glass UI: A translucent, fluid design language that adapts to light and motion.
- Smarter Widgets: Resizable, dynamic, and context-aware widgets on home and lock screens.
- iMessage Overhaul: Add polls, chat backgrounds, reactions, and more with a modern chat experience.
- Mixmoji: Combine two emojis into custom expressive stickers, perfect for personalization.
- Real-Time Translate for AirPods: Use your AirPods for live language translation during conversations.
- AI Battery Saver: Learns your habits and optimizes charging and performance automatically.
- Stage Manager on iPhone: Brings Pro-level multitasking from iPad to iPhone Pro models.
- Preview App: iPhones now support native PDF/image previews like macOS.
More From WWDC 25
Besides iOS 26, Apple also unveiled:
- macOS 15: With enhanced AI workflows and a revamped Control Center.
- watchOS 12: Introduces emotion tracking and smart health alerts.
- visionOS 2: Brings improved eye-tracking and spatial gestures to Apple Vision Pro.
- Xcode 16: Includes AI coding assistant and real-time testing in the cloud.
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FAQs
Why did Apple skip iOS 20 through 25?
Apple may be signaling a major shift in its software platform strategy. Skipping ahead reflects the scale of the update and aligns with upcoming naming patterns across devices.
Which devices will get iOS 26?
iOS 26 is expected to be supported on iPhone XR and newer models, with some features limited to the latest hardware.
When is iOS 26 coming out?
iOS 26 is available today in beta for developers. The public beta is expected in July, with a final release in September 2025.
Stay tuned to Kisumu Kulture for the latest Apple and tech updates in Kenya and beyond.