APPLE is about to show off huge free upgrades coming to millions of customers – including owners of the iPhone, iPad, AirPods, MacBook, and Apple Watch.
Eligible gadget fans will reportedly get the ability to translate foreign languages in real-time using AirPods headphones, combine multiple emoji, and unlock extra battery life without paying a penny extra.
And the way iPhone apps look may be totally revamped for the first time in over a decade.
It’s all part of Apple’s regular software makeover that the company hands out to gadget fans each year.
Apple is showing off the new goodies at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) during a special event at 10am in California today – that’s 1pm for New Yorkers and 6pm in the UK on Monday, June 6.
And there are six major upgrades that you’ll want to watch out for…
APPLE UPDATE #1 – MAJOR APP MAKEOVER
The first change to watch out for is a brand new look for your app icons.
Apple is reportedly going to switch up its design for the first time in over 10 years.
Back in 2013, Apple unleashed iOS 7, moving to a brighter and flatter design style for app icons.
Now Apple is expected to change all that with this year’s update.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is going to move to a new look based on the company’s Apple Vision Pro “spatial computing” headset.
The app icons on these virtual reality goggles feature a more transparent look with a circular frame.
So expect the iPhone, iPad, and Mac to follow suit.
APPLE UPDATE #2 – APP OVERHAULS
Three apps in particular are rumoured for major overhauls.
First up is the Phone app, which is one of the best-known default Apple apps.
It’s reportedly having its Favourites, Recents, and Voicemail tabs all combined into a single window.
This is meant to make life easier, but if that sounds like hell to you, there will supposedly be a way to switch it off.
Second is Safari, which is meant to be getting a slick new look (with a glossy URL bar – that’s where web addresses live).
And third is Camera, which is one of the best-used Apple apps.
Over the years, it has become absolutely feature-packed. Think of all the modes: Slow-Mo, Spatial Video, Portrait, Portrait Selfie, Cinematic Video, and so on.
Apple is reportedly simplifying this with its next big update…
APPLE UPDATE #3 – NEW UPDATE NAMES
…and that update won’t be iOS 19.
Instead, Apple is supposedly rebranding all of its major software names to match the years.
So iOS 19 will instead be called iOS 26. That’s because it’ll likely be out in September, and will then run for a full year – so most of its life will be in 2026.
Similarly, we’re expecting iPadOS 19 to become iPadOS 26, and macOS 16 to instead be called macOS26.
And it’s the same story for tvOS 19, watchOS 12, and visionOS 3, which will all be called “26” instead.
It should make things less confusing for, well, everyone.
APPLE UPDATE #4 – MESSAGE BETTER
Apple is also expected to dole out some new features to a fan-favourite app: Messages.
If you’re a WhatsApp user, the new tricks will feel very familiar.
The first is the ability to send polls, which means you can quiz your mates on restaurant options, or have your family vote on the next holiday destination.
And second, we’ll supposedly get the ability to change chat backgrounds.
So you can have something a bit more thrilling, and it’ll sync for everyone in the chat.
APPLE UPDATE #5 – GAME ON!
Apple is also supposedly working on an entirely new app called Games.
This will supposedly be a portal for all things gaming on the iPhone.
So it’ll apparently work a bit like the App Store, as well as an access point for Apple Arcade (the premium titles accessed via a monthly subscription fee).
And it’ll reportedly have Home, Arcade, Play Together, Library, and Search tabs.
APPLE UPDATE #6 – AI SEE!
Lastly, Apple looks set to debut a few new artificial intelligence tricks.
The tech titan has faced recent controversy over some AI feature delays.
So Apple is reportedly taking a gentler approach this year, with a smaller slate of features that can definitely be delivered.
The headline upgrade is a new feature that will reportedly allow Apple AirPods owners to translate foreign languages in real time. Perfect for holiday.
You’ll also be able to combine two emoji (rather than just create entirely new emoji via Genmoji) for the first time.
And there’s an AI-powered battery optimisation feature potentially coming too.
This will reportedly analyse your phone behaviour, and then make adjustments behind the scenes to unlock better battery life.
Sadly there’s no guarantee that this will be revealed at WWDC 2025.
It’s possible that Apple might save this feature (if it even exists) for the expected launch of the iPhone 17 in September.
We won’t know for sure about any of these leaks until Apple makes its big announcement on stage at its Cupertino, California HQ.
IS ANY OF THIS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN?
Here’s what The Sun’s tech editor Sean Keach has to say…
I know what you’re thinking. There are a lot of maybes, mights, and coulds here.
It’s the same story every year.
Apple keeps its upcoming news under tight wraps – but nuggets inevitably leak.
And the closer we get to the event, the more accurate those leaks become.
We’re now in the final moments before the big reveal, so there’s a good chance that we’ll see these leaks come true.
Of course, Apple may end up delaying or scrapping some of these changes – even at the last minute.
The Californian tech giant will be keen not to over-promise this year.
And none of these changes are particularly shocking.
Apple’s naming conventions have become messy and need fixing. Having software match the year makes sense. I wouldn’t be surprised if the iPhone eventually followed suit.
Mobile gaming is massive – just look at the Nintendo Switch 2 selling out. Apple creating a dedicated Games app is also common sense.
And battery boosts plus real-time translation are sensible AI additions that are within the realms of possibility.
If anything, it would be a surprise if any of this didn’t happen.
Picture Credit: Sean Keach
