The discussion surrounding whether iOS 19 will herald a design revolution or merely an evolution continues. However, there appears to be broad agreement regarding app icons, specifically the anticipated transition from squircles – squares with rounded corners – to circles.
Determining which style is aesthetically superior remains a subjective matter. Nevertheless, there is a minor concern regarding circular icons …
Current iPhone icons can generally be categorized into three distinct groups:
- A foundational square design
- A foundational circular design
- An absence of definitive shape
To illustrate this, we can examine the Home and Wallet apps, which exemplify a foundational square design. These graphics are square (or at the very least rectangular, leaning toward square) and can occupy any desired amount of space within the squircular boundary:
In contrast, several apps utilize circular graphics, with Safari and Spotify serving as notable examples. Again, there is no real limitation on the size of a circular graphic within a squircle. Apple has opted to maximize the available space, while Spotify uses somewhat less:
Lastly, there are graphics that completely occupy the available space without adhering to any specific shape. The Notes and Map icons represent this category:
If iOS 19 decides to implement circular icons, it is clear that there is no problem with circular app graphics – just like now, they can occupy any amount of the available space. Likewise, graphics that fill the space can be redesigned for any shape.
However, for square graphics, there would need to be a reduction in size to fit within the constraints of a circular design. This adjustment could make them less immediately recognizable at a glance. This issue is illustrated by the Reddit and Slack icons in our earlier mockup, as well as in the previously utilized watchOS UI, which many Apple Watch users have since abandoned.
This is not to imply that this poses a significant usability issue. Developers have the option to revise their icons into circular shapes or ensure they fill the available space. Still, I would argue that circular icons tend to be a little less efficient in terms of space usage.
Do you favor squircles over circles? Feel free to express your opinions in the comments.
