Three Reasons Why the iOS 19 Redesign May Outshine iOS 7

I began using OS X full-time at the age of 18, while the Mac was already 25 years old. Starting up my first Apple machine, a 2009 MacBook Pro running OS X 10.5 Leopard, felt akin to stepping into a Porsche after years of driving run-of-the-mill PCs.

Now, the iPhone and its operating system have reached the age of 18. In the context of Macintosh, the iPhone and iOS find themselves in the era reminiscent of the iMac G4 “iLamp” running OS X 10.2 Jaguar — platforms that are evolving but still have significant potential for growth.

This is why I embrace changes in appearance with enthusiasm. Saying ‘it looks different’ can be quite a feature if the new look is appealing. “Does it look cooler?” is distinct from “Does it look better?” The former is often dictated by trends, while the latter tends to reflect lasting quality.

If a modification can be both aesthetically pleasing and functional enough to endure for years, it signifies a successful design shift. While iOS 7 was divisive and required numerous updates to stabilize, iOS 19 carries the potential to satisfy both criteria, and it could be even more impactful than iOS 7 for three main reasons.

The revamp of iOS 7 in 2013 was primarily driven by a shift in personnel. Steve Jobs had a formidable presence that mediated differences between Scott Forstall and Jony Ive. Following Jobs’ passing, Tim Cook recognized an imbalance and opted to dismiss Forstall while promoting Craig Federighi and placing software design in Jony’s hands.

This staffing change that led to a redesign unfolded within months. Before DMN revealed the extensive changes in iOS 7, many doubted that we would see a significant departure from iOS 6. Apple published a press release titled “Apple Announces Changes to Increase Collaboration Across Hardware, Software & Services” on October 29, 2012. In just 224 days, iOS 7 was revealed.

Since then, Apple has meticulously built upon the framework established by iOS 7. The original iPhone software up to iOS 6 seems outdated now, while certain aspects of iOS 18 remain almost unchanged from the iOS 7 era, including icons.

First, the context surrounding the redesign for iOS 19 is markedly different. There is no major personnel shift to prompt a fresh design. Rather, the primary designers of iOS 19 have been entrenched for years, contemplating the future trajectory of Apple’s software aesthetics. This stability should lead to a more deliberate design that doesn’t require as many adjustments as those early iOS 7 iterations.

Second, the redesign may go beyond mere visual changes. An op-ed by Farhad Manjoo highlighted that despite the dramatic changes in aesthetics with iOS 7, the functionality of the iPhone software remained relatively unchanged. This was seen as a positive aspect. Four years later, however, the operational framework evolved significantly with the launch of the iPhone X. If iOS 19 represents both a visual overhaul and an update to the interaction model, it could prove to be even larger in scope than iOS 7.

Third, iOS 19 will be optimized for enhanced hardware that boasts a fresh look. Although iOS 7 presented a striking visual change, it was coupled with the iPhone 5s, which closely resembled the iPhone 5 (that was also rebranded as the iPhone 5c). In contrast, iOS 19 will be partially connected to the anticipated iPhone 17 Air. This ultra-slim design would appear futuristic even if it were running iOS 18.

iOS 19 is also preparing to accommodate new form factors, such as a foldable iPhone. The design of iOS 7 was more versatile and less pixel-perfect, enabling developers to adapt their apps for larger displays the subsequent year. As iOS already supports resizing, the upcoming iOS 19 and iOS 20 may need to adapt to evolving form factors.

Whatever Apple has planned, we won’t have to wait long to find out, as WWDC is officially scheduled for June 9, 2025.