This year’s iPhone software release might bring more than just a fresh look. Along with the biggest design update since 2013, Apple is rumored to make a significant leap in numbering.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is considering using a new number system to match all its operating systems with their respective release years. While this move makes sense, it will also mark a substantial jump.
Gurman suggests that this numbering change will not be limited to iOS. Along with iOS 26, we can anticipate iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and even visionOS 26 for a major leap.
This alignment of numbers across all operating systems is said to be one of Apple’s objectives. Currently, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS are the only systems sharing a common number. iPadOS split from iOS with version 13 in 2019, while tvOS started with version 9.0 to sync with iOS 9 in 2015.
Apple could have followed a similar numbering pattern for watchOS and visionOS, but they opted to start at 1.0. macOS has had a more complex numbering history, starting with version 10.0 in 2001 and recently moving to macOS 11 Big Sur in 2020.
While the shift to “iOS 26” may take some getting used to, aligning with years is not a new concept. Apple previously did this with its iWork and iLife suites, drawing inspiration from Microsoft’s Office suite naming convention.
Apple’s decision to use 26 for its operating systems is based on its release cycle, similar to how car companies name their models by year. Samsung also made a similar move with its Galaxy S-series phones in 2020, aligning the numbering with the year of release.
There is no confirmation yet on whether Apple will adopt a similar numbering system for the iPhone. Names and details are typically revealed by Apple during their September announcements.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
