Apple will officially unveil iOS 26 tonight at 10:30 PM IST during the WWDC25 keynote, marking the beginning of a new generation of software updates for its ecosystem. With a complete interface revamp, enhanced Apple Intelligence features, and performance updates, iPhone users are eagerly awaiting what iOS 26 will bring to their devices—especially the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models.
iOS 26 brings major UI overhaul inspired by VisionOS
Codenamed Solarium, iOS 26 is expected to deliver one of the biggest visual overhauls since iOS 7. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the new interface will borrow elements from Apple’s VisionOS with translucent designs, redesigned icons, updated lock screens, and refined notification systems. The result is a futuristic and fluid user experience that creates a cohesive look across Apple’s platforms.
Charging estimate on lock screen and AI battery-saving mode
One of the most practical upgrades expected is the charging estimate feature, which may finally allow users to see how long it will take for their iPhone to fully charge, directly from the lock screen. Additionally, a new AI-powered battery-saving mode could personalize energy usage by analyzing user behavior and adjusting background tasks and power consumption accordingly.
Apple to rebrand iOS numbering
As part of this update cycle, Apple is also expected to change its OS naming convention. Instead of launching iOS 19, the company will reportedly rebrand it as iOS 26, aligning the version with the calendar year. This change will likely apply across other Apple operating systems as well.
New Apple gaming app on the horizon
Apple is also rumored to debut a dedicated gaming app for iPhones. This app will consolidate gaming stats like achievements and leaderboards, support player communication, and promote Apple Arcade. The gaming experience is also expected to expand to iPads and Macs.
Apple Intelligence and AI integrations
iOS 26 is likely to introduce Apple Intelligence 2.0 with improvements to Siri, AI-powered messaging translations, and smarter scheduling via an AI-enhanced Calendar app. Reports also mention possible integration with ChatGPT and Google Gemini, although this year’s update is not expected to deliver a major AI overhaul.
How and when to update iOS 26 on iPhone 15, iPhone 16
Apple typically releases the developer beta of new iOS versions shortly after the keynote, with a public beta expected in early July. The final stable release of iOS 26 is anticipated in September 2025, coinciding with the iPhone 17 launch. iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 users will be among the first to receive the update, depending on Apple’s compatibility list announced during WWDC25.
