Apple is preparing for its much-anticipated annual developer conference, WWDC, which is set to commence on June 9. Recently, Bloomberg’s renowned journalist Mark Gurman unveiled some intriguing insights regarding a potential overhaul in the way Apple names its operating systems. This revelation has ignited discussions about whether a similar shift may be on the horizon for the company’s iPhone model naming conventions.

Gurman addressed the speculation surrounding the possibility that Apple may skip the iPhone 17 altogether and jump straight to the iPhone 26 this year. He noted on X, “It’s a good question for SEO, but I would be surprised if Apple moved to the ‘iPhone 26’ this year.” This statement implies that while a reimagining of Apple’s software naming structure may indeed be in the works, the existing system for numbering iPhones is likely to stay intact for now.

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According to Gurman, Apple may be considering a complete departure from using traditional version numbers, such as iOS 18 and macOS 15. Instead, the tech giant could adopt a new naming convention centered around the year, with updates being branded as iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 this year. This fresh naming approach would create a cohesive brand identity across all Apple devices, streamlining the experience for users and developers by clarifying which versions belong together.

Currently, Apple’s various devices operate under different version numbers due to staggered release dates for their respective software updates. This can sometimes lead to confusion among users. By adopting a yearly naming format, Apple would simplify version identification—a strategy that has already been effectively implemented by other tech giants like Samsung and Microsoft.

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In addition to the potential renaming strategy, Apple is reportedly working on rolling out a plethora of new features. One significant change may involve giving the iPad an interface more akin to that of a Mac to enhance productivity tasks. Furthermore, developers are likely to gain access to Apple’s advanced AI technology, allowing them to create more intuitive and smarter applications.

Among the myriad of updates possibly on the horizon are live translation capabilities for AirPods and Siri, eye-scrolling functionalities on the Vision Pro headset, the introduction of a new Arabic-English keyboard, a digital calligraphy tool designed for the Apple Pencil, an AI-assisted battery optimization feature, and even the launch of an entirely new gaming app.

These anticipated innovations underline Apple’s commitment to enhancing user experiences while integrating cutting-edge technology into their devices. If the speculations hold true, this year could prove to be one of the most transformative periods in Apple’s illustrious history.