Apple Prepares for Massive Software Revamp

Apple (AAPL) is gearing up for one of the biggest software overhauls in its history, with plans to revamp the naming and design of its operating systems across all its devices. As part of this bold shift, the tech giant is expected to introduce iOS 26, signaling a fresh chapter in its product ecosystem.

New Era for Apple Software

Apple is set to introduce a significant change to how it names its operating systems, moving away from traditional version numbers to a year-based naming convention. As a result, the upcoming iOS 18 will be rebranded as iOS 26, aligning with the year of its expected release.

This move aims to create a more consistent brand identity and reduce confusion among users and developers. Currently, systems like iOS 18, watchOS 12, macOS 15, and visionOS 2 all carry different version numbers, as they were originally launched at different times. This update will streamline Apple’s software ecosystem under a unified naming strategy.

Notably, Apple is set to unveil these major changes during its 36th annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which kicks off on Monday, June 9, 2025, and runs through Friday, June 13. For context, WWDC is Apple’s premier event held annually to connect directly with Apple engineers.

Are Apple Shares a Good Buy?

With Apple’s bold software rebranding set to debut at WWDC, investors and market watchers are closely analyzing how these changes might impact the company’s growth trajectory. Ahead of the event, analysts are updating their stock forecasts, weighing the potential effects of the overhaul on Apple’s long-term performance.

On TipRanks, AAPL stock has a consensus Moderate Buy rating among 29 Wall Street analysts. That rating is based on 17 Buys, eight Holds, and four Sells assigned in the last three months. The average AAPL price target of $228.22 implies a 14% upside from current levels.

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