Apple Follows Tesla and Samsung in Numbering iOS and macOS by Year

Key Takeaways

1. Apple is changing its software naming convention to reflect the release year, similar to how car manufacturers label models.
2. This new naming system will apply to all operating systems, with upcoming versions referred to as iOS 26, macOS 26, etc.
3. Other companies, like Samsung and Microsoft, have experimented with similar naming strategies, but results have varied.
4. It’s still unclear if Apple will also adopt this naming convention for its iPhones, potentially transitioning to iPhone 26.
5. The anticipated iOS 26 is expected to feature a significant visual redesign and new features, to be revealed at WWDC 2025.

Apple is aiming to clear up the confusion surrounding its software versioning by naming its various operating systems according to the year they are released.

Naming System Change

This approach mirrors how car manufacturers designate the model year of their vehicles, keeping them relevant in consumer minds for a consecutive two years. For instance, just like Tesla labeled its latest update as the 2026 Model Y, Apple is likely to refer to its upcoming iPhone software as iOS 26.

Consistent Across Platforms

This naming strategy will extend to all of its operating systems. Instead of using names like iOS 19, macOS 16, iPadOS 19, watchOS 13, macOS 15, or visionOS 3, Apple is expected to unveil iOS 26, macOS 26, and others during the WWDC 2025 event.

Industry Trends

In the past, Samsung adopted a similar strategy for its flagship smartphones, transitioning from the Galaxy S10 in 2019 to the Galaxy S20 in 2020. This change was made to name its devices based on the release year, making them seem more advanced than Apple’s iPhones, which are currently on their 16th iteration.

Microsoft also tried naming its Windows operating system by the year it launched, but eventually switched back to sequential numbering.

Future Speculations

It remains uncertain whether Apple will implement this new naming convention for its iPhones as well, meaning the shift from the current iPhone 16 Pro Max to a hypothetical iPhone 26 Pro Max running iOS 26 could occur this coming September.

The upcoming iOS 26 is forecasted to showcase a significant visual redesign, promising a lot of new features to look forward to at WWDC 2025.

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