Word has it that Apple could stop using version numbers like iOS 18 and macOS 15.
The company will likely start naming its software updates based on the upcoming year.
This has sparked speculation about whether the company could also rebrand the numbering of its iPhone models.
Apple is gearing up for its annual developer conference, WWDC, scheduled to kick off on June 9. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently revealed that Apple might be planning a significant change in how it names its operating systems. This has sparked speculation about whether the company could also rebrand the numbering of its iPhone models.
Commenting on the rumour that Apple might jump to the iPhone 26 instead of the iPhone 17, Gurman shared on X, “It’s a good question for SEO, but I would be surprised if Apple moved to the ‘iPhone 26’ this year.” This suggests that while Apple may update its software naming style, the iPhone numbering system is likely to remain the same for now.
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According to Gurman, Apple could stop using version numbers like iOS 18 and macOS 15. Instead, the company might start naming its software updates based on the upcoming year. For example, this year’s updates could be called iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. This new naming style would bring consistency across all Apple devices, making it easier for users and developers to understand which versions belong together.
Currently, the different Apple devices have their own version numbers because their software was released at different times. This can sometimes cause confusion. Using the year in the name is a simple way to fix this and has already been done by other companies like Samsung and Microsoft.
Also read: Apple may launch dedicated gaming app in 2025: Here’s all you need to know
Besides the renaming plan, Apple is also working on several new features. The iPad might get a Mac-like interface to improve work tasks. Developers could gain access to Apple’s AI technology to create smarter apps. Other possible updates include live translation for AirPods and Siri, eye-scrolling on the Vision Pro headset, a new Arabic-English keyboard, a digital calligraphy tool for Apple Pencil, an AI-powered battery saver, and a brand-new gaming app.
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Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile
