Apple plans to unveil a significant overhaul of its operating systems later this year, marking what is expected to be the most meaningful update to its Mac and iPhone platforms in years. According to a Bloomberg report, the tech giant plans to make iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 simpler to navigate and more consistent across its range of devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This major update will be delivered later in 2025.
The update, which Apple has reportedly been working on for months, aims to streamline its entire ecosystem’s design and user experience. This includes simplifying the style of icons, menus, system buttons, and apps, and offering more intuitive ways for users to navigate and control their devices. In addition, the company intends to incorporate innovations from its visionOS platform, the operating system for its mixed-reality headset, Vision Pro, into these updates. These changes signal Apple’s focus on creating a unified and consistent experience, regardless of the device used.
The refresh of Apple’s operating systems comes at a time when the company is facing challenges in boosting demand for its products, which took a hit during the pandemic. While recovery has been slow, the update is seen as a potential strategy to revitalise interest in Apple devices, especially as the company continues to explore the intersection of hardware, software, and artificial intelligence (AI). The updated operating systems could also serve as a way to distract from delays in the company’s AI roadmap, particularly those related to Siri’s digital assistant, which has been a focal point for Apple’s AI upgrades.
However, the upcoming update could face some backlash, especially from users who rely on their Apple devices for work, communication, and entertainment. Many of these customers may be hesitant to embrace significant changes to the interface or features they have grown accustomed to. Despite this, Apple is likely betting that the benefits of streamlining its ecosystem will outweigh any initial resistance.
In related news, Apple continues to advance its AI initiatives through its Apple Intelligence platform. In January 2025, the company made the AI feature available by default for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, marking the next phase in its AI rollout. The company also plans to extend Apple Intelligence to its Vision Pro headset in April 2025, with a beta version of visionOS 2.4 supporting U.S. English initially, with other languages expected to follow later in the year. Despite these advancements, Apple recently announced that major improvements to Siri, initially slated for release in 2025, have been delayed until 2026, disappointing some customers and industry observers.
With the upcoming operating system revamp and continued focus on AI, Apple appears poised to reshape its software landscape in 2025, but how users will respond to these changes remains to be seen.
