So, Apple simply held its annual WWDC convention the place it broadcasts all the brand new software program for the subsequent yr. And the corporate proudly introduced the subsequent model of iOS for the iPhone, iOS 26. You probably have an iPhone mannequin newer than the XS, it is possible for you to to replace to iOS 26 without cost later this yr.
However the present model variety of iOS is iOS 18. So what occurred to iOS 19? Why did Apple bounce to 26?
The easy cause is that OS model numbers are primarily based on advertising slightly than onerous science, and Apple can identify its platforms no matter it needs.
Apple has taken this chance to align the iPhone working system model quantity with the present calendar yr. However isn’t the present yr 2025, and 2026 is subsequent yr? Sure, however the lifetime of the brand new OS will principally reside in 2026. iOS 26 shall be in developer beta this summer time and solely formally launch to the general public in September 2025.
iOS 26 will then be the present working system right through to September 2026, once we assume iOS 27 shall be prepared. However meaning for 9 out of the twelve months of iOS 26’s lifespan, will probably be the 2026 working system.
So, that’s the reason Apple has determined to quantity iOS after the digits of the approaching yr. For consistency, the corporate can be transferring all of its different platforms to the 26 numbering scheme as nicely. This implies they’ll all turn out to be:
- iOS 19 -> iOS 26
- iPadOS 19 -> iPadOS 26
- watchOS 11 -> watchOS 26
- macOS 15 -> macOS 26
- visionOS 3 -> visionOS 26
- tvOS 19 -> tvOS 26
That actually makes it simpler to maintain every part straight in your reminiscence. The large query is whether or not Apple will comply with swimsuit and rebrand the iPhone mannequin model to additionally comply with the calendar. Proper now, we’re on the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17 lineup is coming this fall. So, Apple might name it the iPhone 26 slightly than iPhone 17.
However this appears much less probably because the iPhone branding is so dominant. Concord with the software program model isn’t sufficient of a justification to upend the iPhone naming scheme. Moreover, Apple likes to promote iPhones for a number of years.
Whereas OS variations are out-of-date yearly and clients can replace without cost, iPhone clients is likely to be shopping for the 2026 iPhone as new three years later. For example, although the iPhone 16 is the present new mannequin, Apple nonetheless sells the iPhone 15 by way of its web site and carriers inventory new stock of iPhone 14 and iPhone 13, even.
Apple might go wild and make it the iPhone 26, however proper now, the odds-on guess is that can proceed incrementing by one and we’ll see the iPhone 17 operating iOS 26 formally debut in September.
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