The upcoming iOS refresh is said to borrow visual cues from VisionOS, the operating system that powers the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset. This connection between platforms has been highlighted by observers and reported by The MacRumors team, citing insider sources and comments from Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman. The cross-pollination of design ideas suggests Apple may pursue a more unified aesthetic across devices while maintaining distinct user experiences tailored to each product category.
In Gurman’s Power On newsletter, new details emerged about an iOS redesign that could accompany the next major release. Speculation points to iOS 18 incorporating VisionOS-inspired elements, such as spatial cues, depth effects, and interface motion that blur the line between on-screen interactions and headset-like immersion. Yet insiders emphasize that iOS 18 would not be a full clone of VisionOS; instead, Apple is expected to selectively transplant design language and interaction patterns that enhance usability on iPhone and iPad without sacrificing familiar navigation and performance traits.
Although Gurman did not definitively assert changes would appear in iOS 18 within that report, MacRumors noted that a leaked preview and prior insider chatter had long forecast a substantial shift in this particular version. The expectation is that Apple is balancing the push for a bolder, more modern look with the practical needs of a broad user base, ensuring new visuals complement existing apps, workflows, and accessibility features. This approach would aim to improve readability, reduce clutter, and offer more intuitive gestures, while preserving the reliability that iOS users rely on every day.
Gurman has also touched on potential updates in macOS, with insiders suggesting a parallel redesign for the desktop operating system. The timeline hints at a staged rollout, possibly not reaching broad public exposure until 2025 or even 2026. The long horizon alarms or excites different segments of Apple’s ecosystem: developers eager to adapt to a refreshed framework, enterprises seeking cohesive device management, and casual users hoping for a more polished, cohesive experience across Mac and iOS devices.
Beyond software changes, there have been hints that Apple has explored hardware ambitions tied to imaging and immersive capabilities, including whispers about headphones with built‑in cameras. While such rumors circulate in technology press and investor circles, they remain speculative, underscoring Apple’s ongoing experimentation with how users interact with content, cameras, and mixed reality elements. If realized, these forthcoming products would extend Apple’s commitment to blending personal computing with advanced sensing technologies, continuing the pattern of gradual, user‑level improvements rather than abrupt overhauls.