Over the past few months—ever since last year’s WWDC, really—rumors about iOS 26 have been making the rounds. Now that we’re just about a month away from its reveal, here’s a quick roundup to help you stay in the loop. iPhone users, get ready—soon you’ll have fresh software to play with, and that’s always a good feeling.
Expected Release Timeline
As per tradition, Apple will likely roll out the first developer beta of iOS 26 right after the keynote at WWDC 2025. A months-long beta testing phase will follow, with the official release expected in September 2025—coinciding with the launch of the new iPhone lineup. This year’s WWDC kicks off at midnight (Vietnam time) on June 10, 2025.
Goodbye to iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR
According to recent leaks, iOS 26 may drop support for devices older than the iPhone 11. If true, iOS 18 would be the final major update for the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. That said, these older devices will likely continue receiving important security patches even after iOS 26 launches. It’s also worth noting that, as with past updates, some of iOS 26’s new features might remain exclusive to newer models—like how Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
Stage Manager Might Arrive on iPhone
Stage Manager—a multitasking feature familiar to iPad and Mac users—could be making its way to the iPhone. Leaker Majin Bu claims a limited version of Stage Manager might be enabled on USB-C iPhones (i.e., iPhone 15 and newer). When connected to an external display, users could open multiple apps simultaneously, similar to the iPad experience. However, some restrictions may still apply. Currently, external display support on iPhone is quite basic, mostly limited to screen mirroring.
A Fresh Look Inspired by visionOS?
One of the most exciting rumors is a potential redesign of the iOS interface, drawing inspiration from visionOS—the OS behind Apple Vision Pro. According to Jon Prosser from Front Page Tech, the new UI may feature translucent, glass-like elements across menus, buttons, and other interface components.
App icons might get a more rounded look, and Apple’s native apps could adopt a new floating tab bar. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman agrees, suggesting this may be the biggest design overhaul since iOS 7. If true, iPhone users are in for a visually modern, more immersive experience.
A More Dynamic Music Experience
Apple Music on iOS 26 could deliver a revamped listening interface with full-screen animations on the Lock Screen. This would enhance the current Now Playing design, which already lets album artwork influence background colors. In iOS 26, animated visuals are rumored to stretch edge-to-edge on the Lock Screen, making music playback more vibrant and engaging.
These features are expected to be showcased at WWDC on June 10.
RCS Messaging Gets End-to-End Encryption
Apple has officially confirmed plans to support end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in its Messages app across its platforms. This feature is expected to debut with iOS 26.
Apple’s commitment to end-to-end encryption for RCS effectively signals its adoption of the RCS Universal Profile 3.0 standard—a notable upgrade from the current Universal Profile 2.4 supported in iOS 18.
This means RCS conversations on iPhones (typically with Android users) will gain iMessage-like features such as:
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End-to-end encryption: Ensuring only the sender and recipient can read the message content.
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Inline replies: Respond directly to specific messages.
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Message editing: Make changes to sent messages.
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Message recall: Delete sent messages after delivery.
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Full Tapback support: React to messages with emoji-like feedback.
This is great news for those who frequently message across platforms, as it enhances both security and user experience. If I get early access to iOS 26, I’ll definitely test this feature out with you all.
New Features for AirPods
Mark Gurman reports that iOS 26 will introduce a new Live Translation feature for certain AirPods models, made possible through a firmware update. This would allow real-time translation: someone speaks in Spanish, for example, and your iPhone translates it into English and plays it in your AirPods. Your reply can be translated and spoken aloud through the iPhone’s speaker.
Apple Translate is also expected to get a major update. Other rumored AirPods features include:
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Gesture-based controls (e.g., nod to accept calls, shake to decline)
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Auto-pause audio when you fall asleep (using Apple Watch data)
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Remote iPhone camera trigger via AirPods tap (with optional timer)
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Studio-quality microphone mode for high-fidelity audio recording
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Smoother shared pairing experiences for classroom environments
Health App to Get AI-Powered Coaching
The Health app might receive a design overhaul, along with a new AI-powered health coach. This feature would offer personalized wellness recommendations, complete with expert-led videos explaining health conditions and lifestyle tips. For example, if your Apple Watch detects an irregular heart rate trend, you might see a video explaining potential cardiac risks.
Food tracking is also said to be a major focus, positioning the app to compete with services like MyFitnessPal. These features could roll out as early as iOS 26.4.
CarPlay Gets a Makeover
CarPlay is expected to receive a visual update, bringing in the same translucent UI style as iOS 26 and visionOS. App icons will look smoother and more tactile.
New audio recognition features may include the ability to detect a child crying in the backseat—helpful for parents or hearing-impaired drivers. Larger text options are also on the way, improving readability behind the wheel.
Smarter, More Context-Aware Siri
A more personalized version of Siri could debut with iOS 26 or shortly after. This Siri would be able to understand on-screen context and retrieve relevant information from apps. For instance, you could ask Siri about a family member’s flight based on an email or text you’ve received. This functionality will require Apple Intelligence, which is only supported on iPhone 15 Pro and newer (and the iPhone 16 series).
Changes Driven by EU Regulations
To comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple will gradually open up parts of its ecosystem through iOS 26 and 27:
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Third-party smartwatches will be allowed to display and interact with iOS notifications (expected late 2025, iOS 26.2).
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Automatic audio switching for third-party headphones (expected by June 1, 2026, possibly iOS 26.4).
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Support for third-party alternatives to AirDrop and AirPlay (expected by iOS 27 in late 2026).
While these changes aim to promote competition, many users feel they dilute the cohesive Apple experience. As an iPhone user, I personally wouldn’t care much for these, and they might even stifle Apple’s design freedom.
Potential Google Gemini Integration
During a recent hearing, Google CEO Sundar Pichai hinted at the possibility of Google Gemini being integrated into iOS 26. iPhones with Apple Intelligence already support ChatGPT, which Siri can query or use for writing assistance. If Gemini is added, it may offer users an alternative large language model, further expanding iPhone’s AI toolkit.
Final Thoughts
From UI overhauls to enhanced AI and messaging upgrades, iOS 26 rumors point to an ambitious release—though it’s clear Apple faces challenges, from EU regulations to the ever-growing hype around generative AI. Whether or not all these features pan out, this year’s WWDC is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet.
Catch the keynote live on YouTube or Apple TV—or join us over at instantinsightatoz for a community livestream and discussion!
