What to expect at WWDC 2025: A new look, Apple Intelligence and more

Apple's WWDC 2025 is expected to unveil significant software updates, including iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16, featuring a platform-wide visual overhaul inspired by its mixed reality headset and new Apple Intelligence features. While a more personalized Siri is still delayed, AI-powered battery management and a virtual health coach are anticipated, though the latter may not fully materialize until 2026; the company is reportedly separating its Apple Intelligence and Siri marketing due to user dissatisfaction with Siri.

Analysis

Apple's forthcoming WWDC 2025, scheduled for June 9th, is anticipated to introduce pivotal software updates including iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16, featuring a significant platform-wide visual redesign. This overhaul, inspired by Apple's mixed-reality headset and representing the most substantial UI change since iOS 7 in 2013, aims to create a more unified user experience across its ecosystem. "Apple Intelligence" will remain a central theme, with iPadOS 19 expected to receive substantial productivity enhancements, such as improved multitasking and app window management, potentially fulfilling power user demands for a more "Pro" tablet experience, as suggested by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. However, the advanced, personalized Siri showcased in an impressive 2024 demo and promised at the prior year's conference continues to face significant delays; reports indicate these major Siri upgrades are "months away from shipping" and unlikely to be a highlight at WWDC 2025. Consequently, Apple is reportedly re-evaluating its Siri marketing strategy separately from its broader AI push due to prevailing user dissatisfaction, though subtler Siri updates like potential Gemini integration might appear. While major Siri advancements remain deferred, WWDC 2025 is expected to introduce other AI-driven features such as new AI-powered battery management in iOS 19, potentially key for future devices like a rumored ultra-slim iPhone, and initial details of the "Project Mulberry" virtual health coach, although its full deployment may extend into 2026. Consistent with Apple's typical cadence, new iPhone hardware is not anticipated at this developer-focused conference, with software betas expected post-event and final releases in the fall.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors should closely monitor the execution and reception of the extensive visual redesign and critical iPadOS productivity enhancements, as these could influence user engagement and hardware upgrade cycles leading into 2025 and beyond.
• The persistent delays and strategic repositioning of Siri, despite a promising 2024 demo, underscore ongoing challenges in Apple's AI voice assistant development; focus should be on the tangible progress of other "Apple Intelligence" features and any partnerships, like the potential Google Gemini integration, to gauge AI competitiveness.
• While new AI applications like advanced battery management and the "Project Mulberry" health coach present long-term growth avenues, their impact will be gradual; prioritize assessment of core OS improvements and their ability to strengthen the ecosystem's immediate market position and competitive standing.