Apple’s 36th Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2025) looks set to be one of its most significant developer conferences in recent years. Scheduled to kick off on June 9, 2025, and run until June 13, the event will follow a hybrid format: online sessions available globally, with a special in-person experience at Apple Park for select developers and media.
If you’re even remotely curious about where Apple is headed next—especially in AI and software—this is one keynote you’ll want to watch. Here’s why we’re excited.
High Expectations After a Lukewarm 2024
Last year’s WWDC was underwhelming. Despite all the hype around Apple Intelligence, many users felt the features were half-baked or simply not as useful as expected. And while Apple did introduce visual tweaks and some AI experiments, there was a noticeable gap between what was promised and what actually shipped.
This year, the stakes are higher. Apple has a real opportunity—and some would say a responsibility—to reset expectations, especially around Siri and its broader Apple Intelligence vision. As such, we expect Apple to make a bunch of announcements at this year’s WWDC.
1. A Massive Redesign: iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16
One of the biggest headlines this year will be the visual overhaul across all of Apple’s major operating systems: iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16.
According to multiple reports, this is Apple’s most dramatic design shift since iOS 7. All operating systems are expected to bring a cohesive look across devices, heavily inspired by visionOS (used in Apple Vision Pro).
Here’s what you can expect to see:
- Rounder icons
- Glass-like frosted menus and buttons
- Pill-shaped navigation bars
- More translucency and soft shadows
- A floating, spatial vibe to windows and panels
- Could move in-app search bars to bottom of the screen
It’s part of Apple’s long-term goal to unify how iPhones, iPads, Macs, and even Apple Watches feel—visually and interactively. YouTube channel, FTP showcase the renders of UI of Home Screen and the Camera app.
Besides, Apple is planning to introduce external display support for iPhones with USB-C ports, similar to what’s already available on the iPad. This means you’ll be able to connect a display, keyboard, and mouse to your iPhone and get a desktop-like experience, much like Samsung DeX. I think this could be a game-changer for those who don’t own a Mac or want a lightweight setup at home.
2. Siri and Apple Intelligence: A Make-or-Break Moment
Apple’s AI rollout—branded as Apple Intelligence—started strong last year but fell short fast, according to The Verge. Siri didn’t get the context awareness users were promised. Several features got delayed, and many users were left asking: where’s the magical AI Apple promised?
This year, Apple needs to course-correct and bring about the following changes:
- On-screen awareness for Siri, so you can query things like “Find the podcast someone sent me last week”
- ChatGPT-style responses, better app integration
- Clear answers on delays and what’s next
However, we aren’t expecting to see Siri 2.0 yet, as reports suggest that the major revamp has been pushed to iOS 20 or late iOS 19.
Also, Apple is reportedly working to integrate Google Gemini, but that may not happen until late 2025. This keynote is critical. Apple has to show it’s not just playing catch-up in AI, but truly in the game. Otherwise, it risks eroding user trust even further.
3. Apple GPT and Developer Tools
One of the more exciting (and under-reported) areas could be Apple GPT, a rumored framework that would give developers access to Apple’s own generative AI models. Here’s what the leaks suggest it could bring to the table:
- Code generation tools in Xcode
- AI-assisted UI previews
- Real-time Swift refactoring
Basically, if you’re a developer, Apple wants to supercharge your workflow using AI. And with Apple’s tight hardware-software integration, this could work beautifully, especially if Apple’s new M4 chips carry dedicated AI cores. This could be Apple’s smartest move in AI yet, though we have to see how well it compares to Copilot or Gemini Code Assist.
4. iPadOS 19: Finally Treated Like a Priority
This year, Apple seems to be giving the iPad the love it deserves. Multiple reports, like the one from 9To5Mac, mention iPadOS 19 as one of the three major themes at WWDC 2025, alongside the UI redesign and AI features. Expected upgrades for the new iPadOS version could include:
- Advanced productivity features
- Possibly better window management
- System-wide design overhaul, in line with iOS 19
- More interactive widgets and customizable lock screens
The exact details of the features aren’t confirmed yet, but multiple sources say Apple is finally bringing iPadOS closer to macOS. I’ve always felt the iPad had the hardware to replace a MacBook—it just lacked the software. Maybe this is the year that finally changes.
5. macOS 16 (Codename: Cheer)
Like its mobile siblings, macOS 16 is expected to get the visionOS-inspired design treatment. But Apple is also looking to improve usability. Rumors suggest the following features could come to the next macOS update:
- Floating, translucent sidebars in Finder
- Slimmer menu bars
- Smarter Spotlight search powered by Apple Intelligence
- AI-powered notification sync across devices
- Stage Manager 2.0 with better multitasking
For developers, Xcode’s new AI assistant could become a standout tool for productivity. If Apple nails this, macOS might become the best AI-integrated desktop OS.
6. watchOS 12 and tvOS 19
Both watchOS and tvOS are expected to follow the same visual update path:
- Rounded UI elements
- Translucency and blurred backgrounds
- Minor AI enhancements
watchOS 12 will reportedly offload most Apple Intelligence features to the iPhone due to limited on-device power. Still, the UI tweaks could help it feel more modern, though it may not be a complete redesign like watchOS 10.
tvOS isn’t expected to receive major AI updates—at least for now. However, there’s a good chance Apple will introduce AI features with the release of the next Apple TV, which is when the next Apple TV is expected to launch—between September and December 2025.
7. visionOS 3 is Coming
As for visionOS 3, details are scarce. Mark Gurman called the update feature-packed, although no specific details have leaked yet. However, many expect that more first-party Apple apps and environments will be added to visionOS.
Personally, I’d love to see Apple introduce basic customization options like adjusting text size, which currently feels oversized, especially when using the virtual desktop feature with a Mac. Hopefully, version 3 introduces such changes and brings the platform closer to something people actually use regularly.
Apple is also planning to release a new Vision Pro with better performance at a lower price than the original. However, it may not make an appearance at WWDC.
8. Possible Hardware Announcements
While WWDC is usually software-first, the following hardware announcements could sneak in:
AirTag 2
- Expected to retain the same puck-shaped design
- New ultra-wideband chip (3x range: ~90m vs 30m)
- Improved precision tracking
- Possible Vision Pro integration—see your AirTag through walls?
For anyone who’s lost a suitcase or backpack, this is more useful than it sounds. I’ve chased an AirTag through airports—better range matters more than you’d think.
Related: Apple AirTag 2: Expected features, release date, and more
A Refreshed Mac Pro
- Likely bump from M2 Ultra to M3 Ultra
- No major design changes
- Still large, pricey, and for very specific pro workflows
Pro Display XDR 2
- Mini-LED panel (more dimming zones than before)
- Possibly higher refresh rate (maybe Thunderbolt 5-powered)
- Likely to be paired with the updated Mac Pro
New Studio Display
- 27-inch Mini-LED backlight
- Improved contrast, better black levels
- Refresh rate: possibly jumping to 120Hz or sticking to 60Hz
Apple Home Hub
- iPad Mini-like display attached to a HomePod-style speaker
- Detachable, magnetic mount for wall/fridge use
- It may be shown as a concept due to Siri delays. The launch is likely in 2026
This could be Apple’s answer to Amazon’s Echo Show but more polished. A Home Hub that looks and feels like an Apple product could be a game-changer for smart homes, even if it doesn’t ship this year.
Why WWDC 2025 Actually Matters
This isn’t just another WWDC. Apple needs to prove it’s not falling behind in AI, deliver a visual overhaul people actually enjoy, and give iPadOS the desktop-like features it needs to finally match its powerful hardware.
Let’s hope it’s not another round of hype without substance—this time, everyone’s watching.
Don’t miss these related reads:
