The newest video from Jon Prosser presents an extensive preview of the highly anticipated design changes coming with iOS 19. If the mockups are accurate heading into WWDC, Apple may have successfully balanced innovation with familiarity.
The Importance of a Fresh Yet Familiar Aesthetic in iOS 19
When news of a major redesign for iOS 19 started to circulate, it initially seemed like just another yearly rumor.
Each year, speculation arises that iOS will receive its first significant redesign since iOS 7.
This year, however, the sheer volume of rumors lends a sense of certainty to those claims.
Prosser’s latest video gives us the best insight yet into what this new design might bring.
A key takeaway from the video focuses on achieving balance.
Redesigning iOS is a bold move for Apple.
While enthusiasts may look forward to significant updates, many everyday iPhone users find such changes daunting. Apple still receives numerous complaints regarding the redesign of the Photos app in iOS 18.
However, the mockups from Prosser appear to show Apple successfully navigating the line between refreshing and retaining familiarity—a formula that I find promising.
Illustrations of Apple’s New Approach in iOS 19
This balance is evident in the revamped app icon designs, which maintain their squircle shape but have been refreshed.
The most pronounced example of this is in the app navigation for iOS 19.
Recently, Apple has tended to remove the traditional tab bar for navigation in its apps.
While the Photos app incorporated this change last year, the absence of tab bars is now apparent in the last five iOS apps released by Apple:
These newer designs suggest broader changes to the iOS 19 apps.
I personally believe that removing tab bars from more Apple applications could be problematic for users.
In popular apps like Music, TV, News, and the App Store, tab bars have long been a staple.
However, Prosser’s mockups indicate that tab bars will remain in certain applications but be redesigned for a fresh appearance and increased flexibility.
For instance, here’s a mockup of the iOS 19 Music app, which features a search bar positioned at the bottom alongside a new button.
The button in the lower-left corner reveals the app’s tabs, allowing users to easily access them by tapping.
I believe this new design effectively achieves three key objectives:
- Tab bars are visually updated but maintain their functionality.
- They create room for new navigation features, such as search.
- They remain unobtrusive when not in use.
Of course, I can’t form a complete opinion until experiencing the new design on my iPhone.
However, my initial thoughts are quite favorable. Apple manages to keep existing features intact while making search more accessible and offering an exciting new visual style.
Summary of iOS 19 Design Changes
The mockups from Prosser reveal various components of iOS 19 that maintain a sense of familiarity while introducing a fresh appearance. I anticipate this approach will resonate well with Apple’s user base.
Making drastic changes to the iPhone’s functionality could lead to backlash against Apple; many users might resist such updates.
However, refining the experience while keeping core functionality similar—with some fresh updates—seems to be a winning strategy.
What are your thoughts on the latest design leaks for iOS 19? Feel free to share in the comments.
