A report from Bloomberg indicated yesterday that iOS 19 may be receiving a completely new visual style, marking the most significant transformation since the launch of iOS 7 in 2013. A similarly substantial update is anticipated for macOS 16.
Although the report lacks extensive details, the few hints provided suggest the upcoming software updates could represent a near-total departure from the flat design that has dominated for over a decade.
When iOS 7 was introduced, Apple eliminated all 3D and skeuomorphic elements from the user interface, opting instead for minimalistic graphics that have persisted ever since.
The report—which may or may not prove accurate—claims that this new design will be “loosely” based on visionOS.
The design draws inspiration from the software of the Vision Pro […]
VisionOS distinguishes itself from iOS and macOS by utilizing circular app icons, a simplified window structure, translucent navigation panels, and an enhanced focus on 3D depth and shadows.
It’s unclear how much of the 3D aesthetic will be adapted for devices featuring 2D interfaces, but it certainly appears that the appearance and experience of our devices will be radically different from anything we’ve witnessed in over ten years.
Our editor-in-chief, Chance Miller, cleverly noted that a striking new design could serve as an excellent distraction from the sluggish advancements related to the new Siri. However, I believe that a new visual style will captivate far more Apple users than any improvements to Siri would.
Let me clarify: I really want Siri to improve. I am a strong advocate for voice interaction and often dictate messages for others. Typically, I give voice commands to my nearest HomePod to manage my smart home, and if Siri were capable of handling more complex tasks, I would certainly embrace that functionality.
For years, I have been advocating for Siri to evolve into a genuinely intelligent assistant. As far back as 2015, I suggested that Siri should have the capability to interact with our apps, so users could express their intentions and let the device manage the specifics. It took a decade for Apple to announce plans in that direction—only to now find out that the timeline has been extended even further.
Yet, there’s a paradox here. Siri was first introduced in 2011, and even though new features have been added over time, the truth is that it hasn’t dramatically increased in intelligence since then. User dissatisfaction has led many to abandon it, resulting in a situation where most Apple device owners hardly pay attention to it anymore.
However, an entirely new look is a different story altogether. The design overhaul introduced with iOS 7 sparked considerable controversy, and many believed that Apple’s then-design chief Jony Ive should not have influenced the software’s aesthetic. Regardless of personal opinions, the shift was impossible to ignore.
The same will likely be true of a new 3D appearance, which might even reintroduce some (more contemporary) skeuomorphic elements. It’s likely that reactions will be polarized, with just as many users loving it as there are those who dislike it upon its debut, which is true of most significant changes made by the company. However, the impact of a fresh design will probably outshine any enhancements to Siri, whether introduced concurrently or later.
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Photo by Rodion Kutsaiev on Unsplash
