Now that WWDC 2025 is in full swing, it’s time to discuss the main aspect that’s been floating about all over the internet. iOS26! We’re here to explore what this new update system entails, including the reason behind the name change and its implications for future Apple products. Let’s get into it.

Related blog: What Will Be Revealed At WWDC25?

Why is iOS 26?

As we mentioned, Apple is skipping a lot of numbers to upgrade their operating system to edition 26, not 19 like planned. Typically, Apple follows a simple counting pattern, with iOS 12, 13, 14, and 15, which are usually released around the same time as the iPhone, each in September. This year though, Apple have revealed they are skipping to iOS26, obviously reflecting 2026, the year the new update will lead into. 26 will be set for all other operating systems too, not just iPhone. This means we will see the change to iOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 instead of what would have been iOS 19, macOS 16, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3. It’s a lot easier to understand, especially because it will be much easier to remember for non-tech fans.

When would iOS 26 be released?

• iOS26 - September 2025
• iOS18 - 16th September 2024
• iOS17 - 18th September 2023
• iOS16 - 12th September 2022
• iOS15 - 20th September 2021
• iOS14 - 16th September 2020
• iOS13 - 19th September 2019

What is new in the iOS 26 update?

In our opinion, a new name means a new design change, and we think that Apple has something big waiting. So, here are some of the new visual updates we think we will see with iOS26:

• Rounded icons on the home screen
• Translucent home screen menus
• Floating navigation bars
• Search the menu at the bottom of the screen
• Updated app-loading animations

It’s rumoured that the iOS26 will take on a very similar design approach to the Apple Vision Pro. Could Apple be integrating all their design choices into one specific design?

Why does Apple skip the number 9?

Another aspect we want to investigate further is the fact that Apple seems to be continually ignoring the number 9 in their tech. It began with the 2017 release of the iPhone X, which we know is classed as the iPhone X or iPhone 10, NOT the iPhone 9 as it should be. This was, however, justified because Apple was celebrating 10 years of the iPhone.

But now again, we’re seeing Apple miss out on the number 9, changing completely to iOS26. Is it a pattern? Or a strange coincidence? With 2027 being the iPhone's 20th anniversary, with the iPhone 19 set to release that year, we find it convenient that yet again, this number will be missed out.

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Conclusion:

Again, the conspiracy between the number 9 and Apple is still ongoing for us, and we’ll be back with further evidence backing our points. Until then, are you excited to get your hands on iOS26? The iPhone 17 will be here in (hopefully) less than 3 months! What new features do you think we’ll see, we want to know.