One of the most anticipated announcements is a major design refresh for iOS 26.
As Apple gears up for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday, expectations are sky-high for the tech giant to reassert its dominance in the smartphone industry. The company is under increasing pressure to deliver improved generative AI features and Siri enhancements.
iOS 26
One of the most anticipated announcements is a major design refresh for iOS 26. Leaks suggest this could be the most extensive interface revamp since iOS 7, with inspiration drawn from the Apple Vision Pro’s aesthetics. Users may see:
- Translucent panels
- Circular app icons
- Smoother animations and immersive interactions
This design language is likely to extend beyond iPhones to iPads, CarPlay, and even the Mac, unifying Apple’s software experience across its ecosystem.
Smarter Battery Management with AI
Apple is expected to introduce an AI-driven battery optimisation system. Unlike traditional power-saving modes that simply reduce brightness or disable features, this new system would analyse user habits in real time and optimise performance and power consumption accordingly, silently adjusting apps and background tasks without compromising the experience.
Live Translation via AirPods
AirPods may soon become real-time language translators. A new feature, reportedly in the works for later this year, would allow AirPods to translate conversations live using the Translate app and built-in microphones. The translated speech could be played through AirPods or an iPhone speaker. While specifics on supported models remain unclear, the feature is expected to roll out to AirPods Pro and newer versions.
Unified App Experiences
The Phone app is rumoured to receive a significant upgrade, merging call history, voicemails, and favourite contacts into one intuitive view. Safari might feature a reimagined, semi-transparent address bar and even the Camera app could see subtle but helpful interface tweaks.
Desktop Mode for iPhones?
Perhaps the most intriguing rumour: Apple could introduce a desktop-style mode for iPhones equipped with USB-C. Similar to Samsung’s DeX or the iPad’s Stage Manager, this feature might allow iPhones to plug into external displays and operate like a mini-computer, ideal for productivity on the go. While still speculative, such a move would signal a major shift in how Apple sees the role of the iPhone in everyday computing.
AI Partnerships on the Horizon
Following last year’s announcement of an alliance with OpenAI, speculation is mounting that Apple could deepen its GenAI integration with potential tie-ups involving Google or Perplexity.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.
