iOS 26 Speculation Thread

[SirROM]

I've wondered why the faster 26.4 beta schedule this year. Usually it's more extended because this point release generally has additional features rather than just fixes/polish. If they decided to delay the AI features to 26.5 instead (not being -quite- ready for .4) then they didn’t need the time, so shifted the extended schedule to the .5 version instead and still be on track for release end of May.

In that case I expect a b1 release next week and then a 2 week schedule for April/early May. If no new features, they might decide to delay starting the new beta until the following week as there's no rush. But still, why the rush with 26.4 then (weekly betas/PB from the start!)?

 

[Nathan576]

I will be curious to see if 26.4 goes public next week, do they release 26.5 beta 1. It would be nice to know finally if beta 1 will bring any AI / Siri enhancements to the table or if it officially shows we'll be waiting for iOS 27.0. I can't see 26.6 if this happens having the Siri enhancements.

Hate to say it but at this point my money is on them just waiting for iOS 27.

 

[arovik]

IF 26.5 has anything new regards to AI, the first beta will come the week of April 1st, as that is when Apple is celebrating they're 50 year anniversary

 

[yeahtyeaht]

26.4 today? What you guys think?

 

[mikethebigo]

26.4 today? What you guys think?

I would love for it to be today. IIRC though, in recent history when an RC went out mid-week, Apple didn’t launch the following Monday. I think they really want to have 6-7 days from RC to release.

 

[Maloney~888]

RC2 today? 😀

 

[Kal Madda]

I’m guessing we see 26.4 public release either today or tomorrow. But perhaps I’m wrong. 👍🏻

 

[gtmead09]

I went through and updated all my HomePods and Apple TV to RC, so since I used all that time I can almost say there will be a RC2 😛.

But realistic, I would say any day now to Wednesday are in play.

 

[Reeneman]

RC2 today? 😀

RC2 aka final public release.
Could be today or tomorrow 🙂

 

[Kylo83]

With wwdc announced it won’t be today unfortunately

 

[Artemiz]

With wwdc announced it won’t be today unfortunately

Why would that affect the release? It’s not like they’re going to wait till June for 26.4 release.

 

[Kylo83]

Why would that affect the release? It’s not like they’re going to wait till June for 26.4 release.

They wouldn’t release all new software on the same time they announce wwdc

 

[mattburley7]

if its not today im not blaming on it being WWDC announcement

 

[Artemiz]

They wouldn’t release all new software on the same time they announce wwdc

They're not connected.

 

[Kylo83]

Why would that affect the release? It’s not like they’re going to wait till June for 26.4 release.

They wouldn’t release all new software on the same time they announce u

They're not connected.

it’s not no, but they would want to focus on one thing at a time, I could be wrong but I doubt they would do both

 

[Artemiz]

They wouldn’t release all new software on the same time they announce u

it’s not no, but they would want to focus on one thing at a time, I could be wrong but I doubt they would do both

Software dev isn't a spur-of-the-moment thing. There's more than one team working on iOS at this point, and they already have 26.4 public release ready, if it isn't the same as RC. Very likely, they're already beta testing iOS 27.

Software as complex as iOS is planned weeks ahead, if not months. And one tiny announcement isn't going to affect it in any way unless it’s tied to the release of new hardware, in which case it'd be held back deliberately to prevent leaks. Not because it's still being built.

 

[mattburley7]

im going with wednesday a week from the RC

 

[gtmead09]

I think what is trying to be said is software development or not, Apple wants the spotlight and news to be reporting on WWDC. Nothing else today cause it’s their big event.

So while updates might be ready, hardware and software take a back seat to allowing the spotlight to happen. This is PR, nothing less nothing more.

 

[Kylo83]

I think what is trying to be said is software development or not, Apple wants the spotlight and news to be reporting on WWDC. Nothing else today cause it’s their big event.

So while updates might be ready, hardware and software take a back seat to allowing the spotlight to happen. This is PR, nothing less nothing more.

Exactly, people don’t seem to get it.

 

[one more]

Exactly, people don’t seem to get it.

What “people”? 😉 In my experience, the vast majority of Apple device users do not follow-up on WWDC (like they don’t care) and only learn about OS updates when their devices display that “annoying red little thing” next to the Settings icon.

 

[Artemiz]

I think what is trying to be said is software development or not, Apple wants the spotlight and news to be reporting on WWDC. Nothing else today cause it’s their big event.

So while updates might be ready, hardware and software take a back seat to allowing the spotlight to happen. This is PR, nothing less nothing more.

For a x.4 update? I don’t think an update with barely anything in there is going to steal WWDC’s thunder. Don’t believe Apple does either.

 

[iCrow]

Apple device users

@MrRom92 ? 🤓

 

[Dieseldk]

For a x.4 update? I don’t think an update with barely anything in there is going to steal WWDC’s thunder. Don’t believe Apple does either.

Worst case iOS 26.4 has some kind of bug that do steal the thunder, best case iOS 26.4 actually gets a little news time Wednesday when they release it. Why wouldn't apple spread it over multiple days for max PR, like when they announce one new product a day i the same week instead of 4 in one day.

 

[one more]

@MrRom92 ? 🤓

Nah, nothing to do with Windows, “Apple devices” in a literal sense. 😋

 

[MrRom92]

I speculate…. we will get an RC2, and I will ask about using Apple Devices again!