Apple is poised to introduce its most ambitious interface redesign in over a decade at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, which kicks off June 9. The comprehensive visual overhaul, internally codenamed 'Solarium,' will transform the look and feel of all Apple operating systems simultaneously.
The Solarium interface draws heavy inspiration from visionOS, the operating system powering Apple's Vision Pro headset. The new design features semi-transparent UI elements, frosted glass effects, and updated iconography with more rounded, squircle-style app icons. This glass-like visual approach creates depth through translucent backgrounds and floating UI elements that appear to hover above content. Each Apple operating system will receive tailored updates as part of the redesign, with iOS and iPadOS undergoing the most dramatic transformation.
According to Bloomberg, this represents Apple's most significant overhaul since iOS 7 launched in 2013. While iOS 7 introduced bright colors and flat icons, Solarium aims to streamline functionality while refining visual appeal. The updated software will reflect a slicker aesthetic, with interface elements that align more closely across devices.
In a notable shift from industry trends, Apple won't focus primarily on Apple Intelligence during WWDC 2025. Instead, the company is emphasizing design excellence while competitors like Google and Microsoft continue prioritizing AI advancements. Still, Apple plans to highlight select AI features, including context awareness capabilities and tools for developers to incorporate AI into their apps. The company is reportedly opening Apple Intelligence to third-party AI models and developers, potentially accelerating development and strengthening Apple's AI platform.
At WWDC, Apple will keep the spotlight on operating system design rather than artificial intelligence breakthroughs. The most notable AI announcement will be opening Apple's internal large language models to third-party developers, potentially leading to new App Store experiences built on Apple's generative AI technology. The company will also introduce AI-powered battery management tools and health features, as well as a partnership between Siri and Google's Gemini. However, these enhancements remain modest compared to the sweeping AI advancements shown by Google and Microsoft.
The Solarium redesign represents more than just visual changes—it signals Apple's strategic approach to unifying its ecosystem. By creating consistency across platforms, Apple aims to deliver a more intuitive and seamless experience for users moving between devices. The company is also adopting a new year-based naming convention, with all operating systems sharing the number '26' (iOS 26, macOS 26, etc.) to align with the 2025-2026 release cycle.
As the tech industry increasingly pivots toward AI-first experiences, Apple's focus on design excellence demonstrates its commitment to refining the traditional operating system approach. Whether this strategy will keep Apple competitive in an increasingly AI-driven market remains to be seen, but the Solarium redesign represents a significant evolution in how users will experience Apple's ecosystem for years to come.