iOS 18 is expected to be one of the biggest updates in Apple’s history, and if new rumors are to be believed, the version rolling out later this year could well bring some significant changes at the interface.
iOS 18 could well have a new look inspired by visionOS. That’s according to a report from The Verifier, a website that has a dubious reputation when it comes to Apple information leaks. The report states thatiOS 18 will adopt some of the visual elements of visionOS, such as rounded corners, shadows, and depth.
VisionOS, the operating system used in the new Apple Vision Pro, is based on iOS, but it adds some features and improvementssuch as floating windows, dynamic wallpapers and new types of widgets.
iOS 18 could inherit some elements of VisionOS
The Verifier uses tvOS 17.2 as an example of how iOS 18 could be influenced by visionOS. tvOS 17.2 is the latest Apple TV software update, and it introduced a new design for the Apple TV app, with a floating sidebar that resembles visionOS apps. However, the iPhone version of the Apple TV application did not benefit from the same design changeand still follows the traditional design language of iOS.
This report should be taken with a grain of salt, as The Verifier has a mixed track record when it comes to Apple rumors. Additionally, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a more reliable source, recently reported that iOS 18 will feature “ambitious changes across the board,” but he did not specify whether these changes concerned design or functionality.
What we especially expect from iOS 18 is new AI-based featuresas object recognition, text translationand even a brand new version of Siri which should make the personal assistant much smarter.
Although Apple shares some design elements between its operating systems, such as Control Center and Notification Center, the company also maintains distinct design languages for each platform. For example, iOS never adopted the round icons from watchOS or the shadowed icons from macOS Big Sur. It therefore now remains to be seen whether or not IOS 18 will inherit certain elements of VisionOS.