Three Reasons Why the iOS 19 Redesign Could 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 device, a 2009 MacBook Pro with OS X 10.5 Leopard, felt like stepping into a Porsche after years of driving ordinary PCs.

Now, the iPhone and its operating system have reached the 18-year mark. In Macintosh terms, the iPhone and iOS have entered an era akin to the iMac G4 “iLamp” running OS X 10.2 Jaguar—maturing products with plenty of potential for further development.

This is why I embrace changes in aesthetics wholeheartedly. “It looks different” can be a fantastic feature if the new appearance is appealing. “Does it look cooler?” is a distinct question from “does it look better?” The former is influenced by trends, while the latter pertains to durability.

If a change manages to be both stylish and functional, withstanding the test of time, then it marks a successful design evolution. iOS 7 was too divisive and required numerous iterations to achieve stability, failing to truly exemplify this. However, iOS 19 holds the promise of fulfilling both criteria and could make a bigger impact than iOS 7 for three key reasons.

The design overhaul of iOS 7 in 2013 was predominantly motivated by a shift in personnel. Steve Jobs played a pivotal role in balancing the contrasting visions of Scott Forstall and Jony Ive. After Jobs passed away, Tim Cook recognized the imbalance and made the decision to dismiss Forstall, promote Craig Federighi, and assign software design to Jony.

The staffing transition that led to the redesign occurred over just a few months. Prior to DMN revealing the extensive changes in iOS 7, many assumed there wouldn’t be a significant departure from iOS 6. Apple released their announcement on October 29, 2012, titled “Apple Announces Changes to Increase Collaboration Across Hardware, Software & Services.” A mere 224 days later, iOS 7 was revealed.

Since then, Apple has gradually enhanced the wireframe design initiated by iOS 7. The original iPhone software, up to iOS 6, seems almost outdated today, while certain elements in iOS 18 remain virtually unchanged from iOS 7—icons included.

Firstly, the context surrounding the iOS 19 redesign is notably different. There are no significant personnel changes among conflicting personalities to hasten a new design. Instead, the primary designers for iOS 19 have been established for years, contemplating the future trajectory of Apple’s software design. This stability should foster a more deliberate aesthetic that does not require as much rectification as the earlier iterations of iOS 7.

Secondly, the redesign could encompass more than just visual adjustments. A piece from Slate by Farhad Manjoo highlighted that, despite iOS 7’s dramatic appearance, the underlying functionality of the iPhone software remained consistent. That was a feature rather than a flaw. Four years later, the operational paradigm shifted with the launch of the iPhone X. If iOS 19 introduces transformations in both design and interaction models, it would arguably surpass the significance of iOS 7.

Lastly, iOS 19 will run on enhanced hardware that boasts a fresh appearance. While iOS 7 featured a striking new look, it was associated with the iPhone 5s, which looked almost identical to the iPhone 5 (rebranded as the iPhone 5c). iOS 19 is expected to launch alongside the anticipated iPhone 17 Air, which could present a dramatically thin design that appears futuristic, even with iOS 18.

Furthermore, iOS 19 represents a redesign that must also accommodate a new form factor: a foldable iPhone. The iOS 7 design was more versatile and less rigid, aiding developers in adapting applications for larger screens the following year. While iOS is already resizable, both iOS 19 and iOS 20 may need to lay the groundwork for an operating system that adjusts to evolving form factors.

Whatever innovations Apple has in store, we will soon discover, as WWDC is officially scheduled for June 9, 2025.