Here are 6 features that might be coming to your iPhone with iOS 19
iOS 19 seems like Apple’s big leap toward a smarter, smoother iPhone experience.
Apple’s next major update, iOS 19, is shaping up to be more than just your average annual refresh. While it’s still under wraps, early reports suggest this version could bring one of the biggest upgrades to the iPhone since the dramatic design shift in iOS 7.
From intelligent battery management to a completely reimagined interface, iOS 19 looks like a blend of subtle usability improvements from iOS 18 and high-tech foundations.
Apple hasn't confirmed anything yet, but these are some of the features we expect (and would love) to see in the iOS 19.
Kelechi Edeh
/1. A smarter way to join public Wi-Fi
If you’ve ever tried joining public Wi-Fi, you know how it goes: connect, then go through a login screen or captive portal. And if you’re using multiple Apple devices, that annoyance multiplies.
With iOS 19, Apple might be planning to simplify this process. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, once you authenticate on one Apple device, the login process syncs across your other Apple devices, so you don't need to fill out the login form multiple times.
/2. AI battery management
Battery life on the current iPhones isn't all that exciting. But with the rumored thinner iPhone 17 on the horizon, Apple could introduce iOS 19 with an AI-powered battery management tool that adapts to how you use your phone.
Drawing insights from usage patterns, the system may lower power for rarely used apps while preserving performance for the ones you rely on most. Think of it like a digital butler quietly extending your battery life in the background.
/3. A visual redesign
A big part of iOS 19 update will likely focus on how it’ll look. Apple is reportedly taking cues from its Vision Pro’s visionOS, blending that floating, spatial aesthetic into iPhones.
So, we expect to see rounded icons, translucent menus, floating keyboards, and a redesigned camera interface that gives more space to the viewfinder by pushing settings into a nice overlay.
Menus will likely feel less boxed-in and more fluid, with pill-shaped tab bars and repositioned search bars to make navigation feel more ergonomic, possibly placing the search bar at the bottom where your thumb naturally rests.
/4. A unified experience across Apple devices
Media reports hint at Apple working to make its entire product ecosystem feel more unified and iOS 19 may lay the groundwork. Whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, or even a Vision Pro, the goal is to reduce the friction when switching between devices. If you’ve ever felt like each Apple product had a slightly different “feel,” that might soon be a thing of the past.
5/ AI health coaching and food tracking
Building on the Sleep Apnea feature introduced last year, wellness seems to be another area where iOS 19 will flex its AI muscles. Apple is said to be working on AI-driven health coaching features that analyze your activity and health data, from Apple Watch to connected fitness apps, and provide tailored suggestions to improve your well-being. The Health app might also gain a food-tracking feature, making it a more comprehensive health companion.
/6. A new desktop mode
One of the more intriguing rumors is a new desktop mode for iPhones. While not a full-blown PC replacement like Samsung DeX, this mode could let you connect your iPhone to an external display via USB-C to create a larger workspace. That might be a game-changer for mobile professionals or students who want more flexibility without carrying a laptop everywhere.
Oyinebiladou Omemu
Conclusion
iOS 19 is shaping up to be more than just an incremental update, marking a strategic shift in how Apple introduces new features. With phased rollouts becoming the new norm, major additions may arrive gradually, similar to Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.
Beyond software enhancements like Wi-Fi syncing, smarter battery management, and AI-driven upgrades, iOS 19 appears to be laying the foundation for foldable devices, hinting at Apple’s rumored "iPhone Flip" and future hardware innovations.
However, older models like the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max will likely lose support for the iOS 19, while devices from the iPhone 12 mini onward should remain compatible. If your phone runs iOS 18 smoothly, you’re probably safe for another year.
