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Apple has announced that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is set to kick off on 9th June 2025. The week-long event is where Apple typically announces software changes and updates aimed at developers who work with their various operating systems.
Hardware releases are unlikely, but they have occasionally popped up during previous WWDC events. Here’s what we can expect to see!
Expected software updates at WWDC 25
WWDC has always been the stage where Apple unveils its software innovations. This year, we should be getting previews for iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16, watchOS 12, and tvOS.
Developers worldwide will have free online access to sessions, while a select few will experience the day in person at Apple Park on opening day. The event will run from Monday 9th June until Friday 13th June with different sessions held each day.
iOS 19: A Facelift Inspired by Vision Pro
Rumors are swirling that iOS 19 will undergo a significant design overhaul, drawing inspiration from the Vision Pro headset’s interface. Think rounded icons and a more streamlined navigation experience, aiming to create a cohesive look across devices. This could be the most dramatic change since iOS 7.
More on OneUI 7 in my Samsung S25 Ultra review
Is this in response to Samsung’s suspiciously similar OneUI 7 OS update? Perhaps. Apple is never one to fit in with the crowd, so there are expectations that iOS 19 will be a relatively significant change.
A Scaled-Back Siri Overhaul
Apple Intelligence promised the biggest overhaul to Siri since its creation. But it never came, or at least the changes were so unnoticeable that it made very little difference. Siri remains the inferior AI assistant compared to Google and Samsung.
Read my full Apple Intelligence review
Originally, Apple were intending to implement larger updates to Siri’s LLM at WWDC 25 but this has now changed. The much-anticipated AI enhancements to Siri have been postponed, with some reports suggesting a delay until 2026.
Hardware Surprises: Don’t Hold Your Breath
While WWDC occasionally showcases new hardware, the Mac Pro and Vision Pro come to mind, this year’s event is expected to focus primarily on software. There aren’t really any big rumours about new hardware for WWDC 25, but if something were to be announced, or at least teased, it could be related to the M5 chip.
Full iPhone 16e review here!
The Bigger Picture: Can Apple Regain Its Mojo?
2025 has been a mixed year for Apple so far, to say the least. There are legal battles ongoing, disputes about data privacy access with the UK government and backlash to the iPhone 16e, which many felt was severely overpriced. Add to that falling sales in the Apple Watch and the dismal performance of Apple Intelligence, it starts to feel like Apple needs a win.
WWDC is rarely an event that gets the consumer audience excited, but it is a chance to put Apple back on track. Focusing on software could help here if an innovative and genuinely new take on iOS is announced in June. Apple has lost some of its pioneering, unpredictable spirit of late; WWDC 25 is a sensible place to show it off once more.
Conclusion: Anticipation with a Dash of Skepticism
On the face of it, WWDC 25 isn’t looking like a massively exciting event. But maybe that’s what Apple needs; less gimmick, more user-focused functionality. The big thing to look out for is the iOS 19 overhaul. If we get something that looks and feels genuinely fresh, then I think we can be satisfied.
