May 29 2025 – In a blog post released today, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple is revamping its six major operating systems—iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS—by adopting a year-based suffix naming convention instead of traditional version numbers.
For instance, at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2025, Apple is set to unveil the next iteration of iOS, which will be dubbed iOS 26 rather than iOS 19. This naming strategy mirrors the automotive industry’s approach, where systems released in 2025 will carry a 2026 suffix, reflecting a coordinated effort to align version numbers across Apple’s diverse operating systems.
Currently, the operating systems sport disparate version numbers due to their varied initial release timelines, such as iOS 18, watchOS 12, macOS 15, and visionOS 2. This inconsistency often confuses users and developers alike. By transitioning to a year-based suffix, Apple aims to streamline version numbers and foster a more unified user experience.
In terms of user interface (UI) design, Gurman reiterated that this year will witness Apple’s most extensive UI overhaul in history, codenamed Solarium. This redesign emphasizes a glass-like aesthetic for visionOS, promising to surpass the impact of the 2013 iOS 7 refresh.
The “Solarium” glass-inspired UI adjustments are poised to become a focal point, with the new design described as “smoother and more modern.” The goal is to infuse Apple’s operating systems with a cohesive visual language.
The redesigned UI will encompass tvOS, watchOS, and select aspects of visionOS, aiming to provide users with a seamless and consistent experience when transitioning between different devices.
