Key Highlights of WWDC 2025 and iOS 26 Rumours

Introduction

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) has never been one of the year's most-awaited tech events. The WWDC 2025 Event was not an exception and gathered developers, tech fans, and media representatives from all over the world. Full of key announcements, software updates, and indirect signals about Apple's future ecosystem, this year's conference presented a complete vision of what is coming next.

Though Apple's legendary secrecy holds some products back until the eleventh hour, this year's event was ripe with surprises—and rumor. From revolutionary iOS 26 features to macOS, AI integration, and visionOS upgrades, the WWDC 2025 Event offered up innovation and intrigue.

Let's dive into the main takeaways and the most discussed rumors on iOS 26 and beyond.

1. iOS 26: Smarter, Faster, More Private

Perhaps the highlight of the WWDC 2025 event, iOS 26, is proving to be Apple's most ambitious software update. Based on various improvements in iOS 25, the new feature focuses on intelligence, personalisationbehaviour, and privacy.

Important Features Announced:

• Apple Intelligence (AI): Intelligent system-wide assistant providing more intelligent suggestions, proactive assistance, and on-device generative AI capabilities.

• Customizable Lock Screens: Users can now dynamically set widgets, manage animations, and switch between themes by time or activity.

• Health Improvements: A new "Mind" app provides mood tracking, journal prompts, and guided meditation tied to Apple Watch.

• Privacy Dashboard: Monitors app behavior in real-time and warns users when background data usage is accessed.

Apple's implementation of AI while upholding its on-device processing standard distinguishes it from the competition.

2. Siri Undergoes Huge AI Revamp

Siri has always trailed behind the likes of Google Assistant and Alexa. But at the WWDC 2025 Event, Apple introduced a radically enhanced Siri powered by Apple Intelligence.

• Natural Language Processing: Siri can now process more advanced queries and engage in context-aware conversations.

• App Integration: Third-party apps are able to use Siri to conduct more in-depth tasks—such as editing a photo or booking a reservation—without the need to exit the app.

• Private Cloud Compute: Apple unveiled a hybrid AI framework that balances on-device AI and encrypted cloud computing.

The new Siri might be Apple's biggest AI jump so far.

3. macOS Sequoia and iPadOS 19

In addition to iOS 26, Apple unveiled macOS Sequoia with a focus on continuity, security, and pro workflows.

Highlights:

• iPhone Mirroring: You can now mirror and control your iPhone from the screen of a Mac.

• AI Writing Assistant: A built-in tool assists in rewriting emails, summarising notes, and auto-correcting code in Xcode.

• Overhauled Control Centre: Less cluttered design and quicker access to switches and shortcuts.

iPadOS 19 narrows the gap between laptops and tablets even more, with new multitasking features, floating windows for apps, and Final Cut Pro 2.0.

4. VisionOS 2 and Apple Vision Pro Expansion

The WWDC 2025 Event also highlighted VisionOS 2. The Apple spatial computing platform update brings:

• Shared Spatial Experiences: Watch movies, work together, or play games in mixed reality with others in real-time.

• New App Ecosystem: Over 5,000 native apps now support Vision Pro.

• Lightweight Mode: A lower-power usage mode for longer battery life.

Apple confirmed wider availability of Vision Pro in new countries, indicating a more aggressive push toward mainstream adoption.

5. Apple Watch and watchOS 12 Updates

Although not the main attraction, the Apple Watch received substantial updates in the WWDC 2025 Event.

• Training Load Analytics: Quantifies recovery, fatigue, and performance trends.

• New Watch Faces: Support for third-party watch face stores.
  

• Gesture Navigation 2.0: Improved hand gesture recognition to navigate UI without touch.

Apple is making its wearable a full health and productivity assistant.

6. AI Is Apple's Big Bet

From Siri to Safari and Mail, the entire Apple ecosystem is getting infused with Apple Intelligence. Unlike other companies, Apple promises full user control and transparency.

Key AI Features:

• Mail Summaries: AI-generated previews of long emails.

• Safari Highlights: Auto-extracts key points from articles.

• Image Gen in Photos: Generate backgrounds or enhance photo quality using AI.

Apple's focus on ethical AI was a common thread throughout the WWDC 2025 Event, with the intent to distinguish its strategy in an overcrowded market.

7. The Rumours: iOS 26 Features Still Under Wraps

Some iOS 26 features weren't specifically mentioned at the WWDC 2025 Event, sparking rumours.

Rumoured Features:

• Interactive Home Screen Widgets: Allow users to interact with applications directly from the home screen.

• Smart Reply in Messages: Contextual AI replies specific to conversations.

• Offline Siri Mode: Complete Siri functionality without the web.

• iPhone 17 Exclusive Features: Next-gen AI features could be saved for the next-generation iPhone.

iOS 26 beta builds have already given developers clues of these features, hinting at a phased rollout plan.

8. Developer Tools and Swift 6

Apple has not forgotten its basis—the developers. The WWDC 2025 Event brought focus to a series of updates for development tools:

• Swift 6: Further performance-oriented with improved concurrency management.

• Xcode Cloud Expansion: Globally available with additional CI/CD automation tools.

• RealityKit Enhancements: New spatial computing and immersive experience tools.

Apple is doubling down on enabling developers in every device category.

Conclusion

The WWDC 2025 Event was a milestone moment, not only for Apple but for the tech world as a whole. With iOS 26, macOS Sequoia, and an AI-fueled ecosystem, Apple is at the forefront of user-centred innovation.

Whether you’re a developer, an iPhone user, or simply a tech enthusiast, the takeaways from this year’s conference are clear: Apple is not just reacting to trends—it’s shaping them. The road to iOS 26 and the next wave of Apple products promises to be an exciting one.