Apple WWDC 2025: Why major AI announcements are on hold

The WWDC 2025 may offer only refined AI and OS rebrands; major innovation likely delayed until WWDC 2026.

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Apple's premier software event, WWDC 2025, is set to captivate the tech world from June 9 to June 13. However, insider reports suggest this year's announcements may not be as groundbreaking as previous conferences, particularly regarding artificial intelligence. The latest insights indicate Apple might temper its AI reveals, potentially hindering its competitive stance against industry leaders.

Recent credible reports from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg have tempered the high hopes of Apple enthusiasts, especially those anticipating significant AI advancements on the first anniversary of Apple Intelligence. Initially unveiled at WWDC 2024, with further details at the iPhone 16 launch in September, and a public debut with iOS 18.1, Apple's much-touted "AI breakthrough" – Apple Intelligence – has largely remained conceptual rather than revolutionary. Notably, the "Available now" claim was quietly removed from their announcements, as substantive AI features, when compared to competitors, have been conspicuously absent. Gurman's report candidly states, "People within the company believe that the conference may be a letdown from an AI standpoint." He further indicates that the upcoming WWDC 2025 announcements might be "smaller-scale than the last two WWDCs," suggesting a more reserved presentation.

The Cupertino-based tech giant is expected to make a significant announcement regarding its on-device Foundation Models, allowing developers to integrate with existing Apple models for less complex tasks like text summarization. These models, with approximately 3 billion parameters, represent a step forward but are modest compared to the cloud-based solutions offered by rivals. Additionally, Apple is implementing a new branding strategy: unifying its operating systems by adopting a forward-looking, year-based naming convention, such as iOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26. While this aims to streamline branding, it appears to be more of a logistical update than a performance or AI dominance-related improvement.

This year's macOS 26 is anticipated to be themed after the picturesque "Lake Tahoe," continuing Apple's tradition of naming its operating systems after significant California locations. As for iOS 26, a consistent highlight of Apple's events, it will reportedly feature an improved battery management mode and a revamped Translate app integrated with Siri and AirPods. However, a truly modernized and conversational Siri, a highly anticipated feature, is still not expected at this event, which may disappoint many users.

The event is also set to unveil a refreshed, Vision Pro-inspired user interface, signifying a notable aesthetic and functional evolution in Apple's iOS history. While the original Vision Pro didn't fully meet the company's aspirations, Apple seems committed to captivating users with an enhanced visual experience and maintaining its existing user base. Despite ongoing plans for a more affordable Vision Pro, its release this year remains unlikely. Perhaps the most significant consumer-focused announcement will be a new gaming app, pre-installed across all Apple operating systems, designed to replace the existing Game Center. This app will serve as a centralized hub for launching games, accessing leaderboards, and facilitating player communication. Crucially, no significant new hardware devices are expected to be announced at WWDC 2025.

The apparent slowdown in introducing advanced AI features – which are already trailing competitors – seems to be a strategic deferral for WWDC 2026. This might be Apple's attempt to "convince consumers that it's an AI innovator" next year. However, a pressing question arises: Is this a wise move in a rapidly accelerating AI landscape? Competitors, particularly Google, demonstrated remarkable innovations at I/O 2025, showcasing their dominance in AI models and empowering creators, developers, and users alike. This strategic pause could further push Apple down the competitive ladder, potentially impacting future product updates like the iPhone 17 beyond just design enhancements. It presents a challenging situation for Apple.

It's important to remember that these are current reports and speculation, and the final announcements at WWDC 2025 may differ. As the event unfolds, we will keep you informed with all the official updates. Stay tuned for the latest from Apple!