Apple would have planned iOS 19 to present the largest visual overhaul of the iPhone for a decade. Here is why a large redesign iOS 19 is a risky decision, but which may well pay for Apple.
Why the redesign of iOS 19 is a risky decision for Apple
iOS 7 was the last time that Apple introduced a major overhaul to the iPhone software. It means that it has been a large recast of software for 12 years.
I remember iOS 7 triggering tons of excitement among the apple community for its fresh and modern design. But there was also a dose of criticism.
Not everyone liked the new design management led by Jony IVE. Current criticisms were that it prioritized the form on the function, which makes text and pimples difficult to read or identify in favor of a “more aesthetic” look.
Apple has never introduced from an overhaul that is located near the iOS 7 scale.
For what? It is the assumption of anyone. But I suspect that the massive business user base is the reason.
2025 Apple is much more successful than Apple 2013. It has billions of iPhone users, not millions.
And these billions of users count more than ever on their iPhone.
This means that whenever Apple makes changes to iOS, the impact can be enormous.
Apple’s massive success is the very reason why the IOS 19 overhaul will be a great risk for the company.
If the large world iPhone user base finds iOS 19 confusing or frustrating, it could do a lot of trouble from Apple and, by extension, to its business.
Although I am personally very excited by the prospect of an overhaul, I suspect that a large number of iPhone users would become nervous if they had heard of it.
The iOS overhaul is a risky decision, but it is also important for at least two reasons.
Two reasons why the risk could be worth the penalty
A good reason why Apple has to go ahead with the IOS 19 overhaul is something that my colleague Ben has already addressed.
This is mainly this: a new brilliant iOS look is a great way to distract Siri and Apple IA difficulties.
More than distracting, this is the type of change that many iPhone users – especially the youngest, may perhaps find more attractive than the new features of Apple Intelligence.
However, there is another reason to consider.
If iPhone software has become too risky to change and improve significantly, this is a big problem for Apple in the long term.
IOS can play a key role in the life of many users today, but if Apple cannot experiment and innovate with it, the iPhone will ultimately be exceeded by something else.
Of course, Apple adds new features to iOS each year. But the addition of new capacities is a different question of the modification of the fundamental user interface.
No user interface is perfect, and although iOS certainly has a lot of strength, Apple must be able to improve and modernize its software, even when this means major visual changes.
I previously wrote that I thought the time of IOS 7 style redesign was over. Bringing changes to one application at a time, as Apple did in iOS 18 with photos is a safer decision.
But if the latest rumors prove to be true, apparently, Apple thinks that the time has come for a sort of larger whole transformation.
After years of iOS that work largely as always, maybe the company is right.
Do you think that the IOS 19 apple overhaul is risky? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.
