After years of subtle refinements, Apple‘s iconic iPhone software may receive its most radical visual overhaul yet with the debut of iOS 18, according to newly surfaced rumors.

Drawing inspiration from visionOS – the operating system powering Apple’s augmented reality Vision Pro headset – iOS 18 is expected to adopt a depth-enhanced aesthetic characterized by floating, overlapping application windows, soft shadows, and rounded graphical elements.

While long considered a leader in consumer software design since the original iPhone‘s introduction, Apple now faces mounting competition from Android rivals Samsung and Google, both of whom have invested heavily in augmenting their operating systems with artificial intelligence capabilities in recent years.

The rumored iOS visual reboot, while remaining officially unconfirmed by Apple, is allegedly evidenced in the refreshed Apple TV software. The new sidebar interface in tvOS 17.2 mirrors the layered, dynamic windowing unique to visionOS, representing the first subtle hints of the comprehensive makeover to come in iOS 18.

The rumors originate from the oft-cited yet frequently unreliable technology blog The Verifier, urging skepticism among industry analysts. However, notable Apple journalist Mark Gurman also points to “ambitious changes” in the iOS pipeline, lending further credibility.

While iOS has historically maintained distinct visual branding from Apple’s other platforms, some crossover has occurred before, as with Mac-inspired notifications in iOS 12. The wholesale adoption of visionOS design paradigms marks a dramatic shift should the rumors bear out.

As Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference approaches mid-year, where iOS 18 likely debuts, anticipation now builds around the software’s mystery features. If the whispers of a visionOS-inspired interface prove accurate, iPhone users can expect the most radially transformed iteration of iOS yet, boasting Apple’s advanced headset technology filtered down to the touchscreen.