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Apple is working on iOS 19, and there are many indications that the update will bring some visual changes. There are increasing indications that Apple is planning a more transparent, glass-like design. It should not only appear more modern, but also be more closely aligned with visionOS, the operating system of the Apple Vision Pro. The code name "Solarium," initial leaks, and insider reports are now providing a fairly clear picture. Here you can find out everything that's known about iOS 19 so far.
There hasn't been such a major redesign of the iPhone system since iOS 7. iOS 19 appears to be a game-changer that will fundamentally change the familiar look. The new design language is expected to be characterized by transparent surfaces, lighter structures, and more visual depth. Initial information from reliable sources like Mark Gurman indicates where things are headed. If you want to know what Apple is planning with iOS 19, you can find all the facts known so far here.
Apple relies on transparency – in the truest sense
According to several reports, iOS 19 will feature a significantly more transparent and modern design. It will feature transparent buttons, semi-transparent menus, notification banners, and other interfaces that exude more depth and lightness. The look is strongly reminiscent of visionOS—the system that runs on the Apple Vision Pro. With this, Apple aims to create a visual connection between the iPhone, iPad, and the new product category of mixed reality headsets.
Codename “Solarium” as a reference to the new look and feel
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman reports that Apple's new design project has the internal codename "Solarium." A solarium is a room with glass walls that lets in plenty of light. The name is no coincidence, but rather a clear reference to the planned design concept. It's about a system that is intended to appear open and translucent—a significant step away from the current rather simple and flat interface.
Renderings show camera and messaging app in new style
Jon Prosser has published the first renders of iOS 19 on his YouTube channel "Front Page Tech." They show the Camera and Messages apps with a transparent design. The new interfaces appear brighter, more modern, and almost futuristic. Whether the final versions will look the same remains to be seen, but the direction seems clear. Apple is apparently testing various variations of the transparent UI style.
How big the design changes really are
While not every leak is reliable, several sources confirm that iOS 19 will bring more than just a few visual tweaks. Mark Gurman even says it could be the most extensive design changes since iOS 7. Back then, Apple said goodbye to skeuomorphic design with shadows and textures and opted for flat, clean structures. iOS 19 could now be the next big step—just toward more depth, transparency, and visual lightness (via Bloomberg).
Release period: WWDC 2025 brings first beta
The official unveiling of iOS 19 is expected at WWDC 2025, which takes place on Monday, June 9. The first beta version will be available to developers immediately after the keynote. This will begin the testing phase, during which new details will gradually be revealed. For everyone else, the public release is planned for September as usual, presumably alongside the next iPhone. It's also exciting that even the official WWDC 2025 logo could already hint at the new design. It features stylized elements with a glass effect, which fits well with the expected look of iOS 19.
iOS 19: The visible change for the iPhone
iOS 19 will likely be more than a typical system update. Apple is apparently planning a new design that will stand out with its transparency, glass effects, and a more modern user interface. The codename "Solarium," initial renderings, and several independent sources speak for themselves. The extent of the changes will ultimately become clear starting in June. But one thing is already certain: iOS 19 will be a visible step into a new design phase of the iPhone. (Photo by Unsplash / Loïc Lassence)
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