If you thought iOS 18 was a big deal, wait till you see what Apple has planned next.
The first developer beta of iOS 19 is dropping right after WWDC 2025 on June 9 — and if rumours and leaks are anything to go by, it’s already shaping up to be the biggest visual update in years, packed with smarter AI tricks, tighter privacy, and a few bold design moves.
Let’s break it down.
Leaks from Jon Prosser and Mark Gurman suggest that iOS 19 will borrow a lot from VisionOS — the system that powers the Apple Vision Pro.
Think translucent menus, glass-like buttons, rounder app icons, and a floating tab bar across native apps. If you thought iOS 7 shook things up back in the day, iOS 19 might just be an even bigger glow-up.
Meanwhile, Siri will become more intelligent, especially in understanding on-screen content. But do keep in mind, the full, Apple Intelligence-powered Siri won’t be available till 2026, perhapsps with iOS 20. The coolest Siri upgrades in iOS 19 though are likely reserved for iPhone 15 Pro models and newer.
One of the biggest changes is that Apple is finally upgrading RCS messaging on iPhones. This means better chats between iPhone and Android users — with features like message editing, unsending, in-line replies, and end-to-end encryption. Basically, texting across platforms will feel way less clunky.
iOS 19 will reportedly let your AirPods do live translations straight into your ears — and even help you respond back in another language. Perfect for trips abroad or impressing your friends at parties.
The Health app is getting a huge AI upgrade, offering personalised coaching tips, video guides, and new meal-logging features — basically going head-to-head with apps like MyFitnessPal.
Thanks to new EU regulations, Apple is opening iOS up even more. Expect support for third-party smartwatches, better audio switching with non-Apple earbuds, and alternative ways to use AirDrop and AirPlay.
Developers will get their hands on iOS 19’s beta right after June 9. The full public release though should start trickling in from September 2025 onwards, when Apple launch the new iPhone 17 series.
As for the devices that will be getting these updates, we can expect them to see from iPhone 11 series and onwards, including the iPhone SE 3 and the iPhone 16E. Of course, most of the AI features will be limited to iPhone 16 series, and perhaps extend to the 15 series. But the rest, mainly the design overhaul, RCS, and other will trickle down to the older models.
