Mark Gurman’s latest Q&A session unveiled a tidbit regarding iOS 19, specifically its internal codename, which hints at potential design elements to come.
The codename is Solarium, prompting immediate speculation online about its relevance to the forthcoming design aesthetic.
According to Merriam-Webster, a solarium is “a glass-enclosed porch or room.” When combined with Apple’s frosted glass graphic for WWDC 2025 and the anticipated UI influenced by Vision Pro, it seems to provide strong hints about the design direction.
However, as Macworld points out, Apple’s codenames have traditionally not indicated anything substantial about the final product.
Historically, Apple’s codenames don’t correlate with the final product. For instance, the codename for last year’s iOS 18 was Crystal, while iOS 17 was called Dawn. iOS 12? Peace…
The most significant interface overhaul for iOS occurred with iOS 7, which had the codename Innsbruck—a ski resort city in Austria. Apple’s previous trend involved naming iOS versions after winter resort towns.
According to StrongChimp Simon from the site, Solarium, like Innsbruck, “almost certainly” carries no deeper meaning. I would argue even more strongly: this secretive company, known for keeping its codenames under wraps, isn’t likely to embed hints within them.
WWDC graphics, however, do take on a different character. By the time they’re released, several leaks have already surfaced, allowing Apple some creative freedom. Yet, codenames generated at the project’s outset will not provide any insights.
