Forget iOS 19! Apple Is Jumping to iOS 26: Here’s Why
With just a few days to go for Apple’s annualWWDC, the Cupertino giant is all set to unveil the next iOS,iPadOS,macOS, and tvOS versions. While most people expectiOS 19to release after iOS 18, Apple seems to think differently. The company is skipping straight to iOS 26 after iOS 19, and here’s a reason behind this change.
Apple To Release iOS 26 to Synchronize iOS Releases With Current Year
According toBloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple will release iOS 26 and macOS 26 this year. Here’s how the naming scheme will change:
As part ofSolarium’s design, the company is making massive software changes for all its devices. The reason for the change is to make it easier to identify these versions based on the year.
Although the numbering will be based on the upcoming year rather than the current year, since these OS will release in September 2025.
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So iOS 19 will pave the way for iOS 26 to ensure consistency in the number pattern for consumers and developers alike. Currently, all operating systems by the Cupertino giant use different numbers due to the gap in their release year.
For example, there’s iOS 18,iPadOS 18, watchOS 12, macOS 15, and visionOS 2. Gurman says that Apple will announce this change at WWDC on June 9.
All new operating systems will adopt a bold new design to ensure a cohesive experience for consumers. Similar approaches have been taken in the past.
Not The First A Company Is Skipping Numbers
Samsung skipped the S11 in favour of the S20 to ensure its model reflected the current year. In 1995, Microsoft started naming Windows after their release year, starting with Windows 95, Windows 9,8, Windows 2000.
However, it soon changed its strategy to conventional naming schemes. Even Apple is no stranger to these changes as it released the iWork ’08 and Life software bundles in 2007, followed by Life ’11 in October 2010.
Although not a number-related change, Apple is planning to replace the Plus model in its iPhone lineup with the Air model. This is due to the deteriorating sales of the Plus model.
Abeer Chawake
A part-time gamer and a full-time Tech Writer. Abeer is a tech enthusiast who keeps track of all the trending gadgets and smartphones. When he isn’t busy smashing words with his keyboard, you can find him playing the latest PC Games or binge-watching TV Shows.
