What to expect from iOS 19: Big design and AI upgrades incoming

It’s that time of year again, when Apple loyalists start counting down the days to WWDC with the same excitement most people reserve for birthdays or holidays. And this time, they may have good reason. iOS 19 is just weeks away from being unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9. While the company hasn’t dropped any official previews yet, the leaks are already painting a pretty clear picture – this might just be the most visually transformative iOS update in years.

From a reimagined design language to deeper AI smarts, iOS 19 looks like it’s all about bridging Apple’s past obsession with simplicity and its new era of contextual computing.

iOS 19 launching soon at WWDC 2025: What the leaks say

According to early reports, iOS 19 will debut a completely overhauled interface inspired by visionOS, the sleek operating system currently powering the Vision Pro headset.

Expect translucent panels, floating navigation bars, and responsive UI elements that shimmer and shift as you move your phone. Even everyday apps like Camera and Messages are getting a facelift, with more screen real estate, subtle animations, and refined typography that makes the whole system feel more fluid and immersive.

But don’t mistake this for a design update just for design’s sake. The idea here is cross-platform coherence. Apple wants your iPhone, iPad, and Mac to feel like one seamless experience. Rounded corners, adaptive buttons, and dynamic layers are just the start of that ecosystem evolution.

Siri reimagined and a lot more intelligent

If iOS 18 was Apple dipping its toes into the AI pool, iOS 19 is touted to be its first real dive. We already covered why WWDC 2025 is crucial to Apple’s success in the AI race, which you can read below. If leaks are to be believed, Apple is expected to come swinging this year in terms of AI integration and smarts.

ALSO READ: WWDC 2025 is Apple’s chance to redeem itself in the AI race

At the centre of this smarter system is a reworked Siri, finally stepping into the role of an actual digital assistant rather than a glorified voice search tool. The upcoming Siri is reportedly able to understand personal context. So, if you ask it to find “that file ‘insert person name’ messaged me last week,” it’ll know what you mean.

It’ll be able to scan what’s on your screen, automate common tasks across apps, and even help edit photos or send attachments, all through natural language prompts.

Some reports hint at Apple testing a large language model (LLM)-powered version of Siri, potentially rivalling ChatGPT or Google Gemini. That, however, may be a longer-term project; likely held back for iOS 20. But even without it, Siri 2.0 sounds like a major step forward. Here’s hoping it is.

Additional features you can expect on iOS 19

One of the most exciting features tied to iOS 19 is live language translation via AirPods. So, you simply wear your AirPods, speak in your language, and your iPhone instantly translates incoming speech into your ears in real time. It’s a futuristic use of the Translate app that could change how we travel, work, and connect across borders.

The Health app isn’t being left out either. Apple is reportedly adding AI-powered coaching tools, food tracking, and better lifestyle analytics, helping users stay on top of everything from macros to mindfulness. These upgrades may not land at launch but could roll out in later updates like iOS 19.4, expected in early 2026.

ALSO READ: Apple WWDC 2025 dates announced: Everything you can expect

Another head-turner that’s expected to drop is Stage Manager, a multitasking tool currently limited to iPads and Macs, which could be making its way to the iPhone. If true, this would mark a major leap in iPhone productivity, especially for users of the iPhone 15 Pro or upcoming iPhone 16 with USB-C. Plug your phone into an external display, and you could run multiple apps simultaneously, essentially turning your phone into a pocket-sized workstation, similar to Samsung’s DeX mode.

Which iPhones are getting iOS 19 and when?

Here’s the good news: if you’re using an iPhone 12 or newer, you’re likely covered. However, Apple is reportedly dropping support for the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max, a move that streamlines its device ecosystem further. That means the update will likely roll out to the iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15 series, iPhone 14 series, iPhone 13 series, and iPhone 12 series (including the 12 mini).

ALSO READ: iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max will not get iOS 19: Full list of compatible devices

Also, if leaks are to be believed, not all features will land on day one. Apple appears to be adopting a phased rollout strategy for iOS 19, much like it did with Apple Intelligence in iOS 18. Some headline features will launch later in the update cycle, spread out across 2025 and into early 2026. It’s a sign of Apple becoming more iterative, less ‘one big moment’ and more ‘ongoing evolution.’

Are you excited for iOS 19 and the big upgrades it will likely bring? Drop a comment, and stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for the latest coverage about all things tech.