With the anticipated release of iOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, and watchOS 26, Apple is preparing to unveil a fresh design aesthetic inspired by visionOS, its latest operating system. As the WWDC 2025 approaches, we take a closer look at the features and design elements that could make their way into these new operating systems, guided by current rumors and leaks.
Internally, Apple refers to the redesign of iOS 26 as "Solarium," drawing inspiration from the concept of a sunlit glass room. visionOS has already incorporated translucent menus and interface elements, allowing users to remain aware of their surroundings in an immersive AR/VR experience. This translucent design not only enhances aesthetics but also facilitates a seamless blend of real-world color and light. Applications like Photos could greatly benefit from this design, as we've seen in early mockups.
Aligned with the theme of translucency, the floating navigation bars and menus in visionOS create a sense of depth. In iOS 26, Apple might replicate this effect using shading and shadowing techniques to give interface elements a slight elevation above the background. This design choice could lead to a softer, blurred depth effect that enhances user interaction. Additionally, with a trend toward top-aligned toolbars in visionOS, it is likely that iOS 26 will adopt similar navigation styles.
While iOS already features rounded shapes in its icons and menus, visionOS takes this concept further with even more pronounced curves. In iOS 26, we could see pill-shaped navigation bars and app icons that embrace this rounder aesthetic. Leaker Jon Prosser has hinted at the possibility of round app icons, although it remains uncertain whether Apple will adopt this trend, considering the longstanding distinction between iOS's squircle icons and Android's round icons.
The translucent interface of visionOS often resembles frosted glass, a look that Apple has hinted at for the upcoming design. The WWDC 2025 design concepts showcase a frosted glass rainbow with shifting pastel colors, suggesting that Apple may introduce a similar frosted, sea-glass style to iOS 26. This design, utilizing a material Apple refers to as "glass," allows virtual content and real-world elements to coexist seamlessly within menus and windows, enhancing user engagement.
In visionOS, interface elements respond dynamically to the room's lighting conditions, a feature that may not translate directly to the iPhone. However, iOS 26 is expected to incorporate subtle lighting effects to enhance the glass-like aesthetic. As users move their iPhones, dynamic shadowing could create an immersive experience, with potential glints on Lock Screen buttons like Flashlight and Camera. Additionally, adaptive color schemes could allow interface elements to blend seamlessly with wallpaper and adjust according to ambient light.
One of the standout features of visionOS is its simplified design approach, offering a more spacious and user-friendly interface. iOS 26 is set to embrace this philosophy by streamlining navigation and menu layouts, resulting in a cleaner and less cluttered look. Enhancements like cleaner fonts, bolder text, and increased line height may become staples of the new design, aligning with Apple's goal of ensuring cross-platform cohesion. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, iOS 26 will be simpler to use, faster to navigate, and easier to learn.
The overhaul of iOS 26 isn't a standalone effort; similar visual updates will also apply to macOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26. Apple is expected to provide developers with new design guidelines to ensure that third-party apps can also reflect this updated aesthetic, promoting a cohesive user experience across all devices.
The highly anticipated design updates are set to be showcased during the WWDC 2025 keynote event on Monday, June 9, starting at 10:00 a.m. Apple will livestream the event, offering fans a chance to witness the unveiling in real-time. For those unable to attend, updates will be available via platforms like MacRumors.com and the MacRumorsLive X account. Following the keynote, developers will receive the latest operating system updates, with a public beta expected to roll out in July. The official launch of iOS 26 and its accompanying updates is anticipated in September.
