Apple's iterative release strategy for iOS 18 is reportedly causing significant delays in the development of its next major software iteration, iOS 19, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This unexpected slowdown has raised concerns about Apple's ability to maintain its traditional rollout pace and meet user expectations for innovative features in its software ecosystem.
Historically, Apple has introduced new iOS versions during its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, followed by a full software release in September alongside the latest iPhone models. However, the staggered rollout of features in iOS 18 appears to have disrupted this rhythm. Gurman noted in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Apple's engineering resources remain tied up with ongoing updates to iOS 18, delaying the transition to full-scale development of iOS 19.
The delays stem from Apple's ambitious efforts to integrate "Apple Intelligence" features, a suite of advanced AI capabilities introduced with iOS 18. This phased deployment, which has spanned updates such as iOS 18.1 and 18.2, is set to continue through iOS 18.4, expected in the spring of 2025. According to Gurman, this approach is causing a "cascading effect" on iOS 19's timeline, with engineers unable to shift focus to the new version as they normally would.
These delays may frustrate users who are accustomed to Apple's polished and comprehensive software updates. Gurman reported that several features initially planned for iOS 19's launch have been pushed to later updates, including iOS 19.4, likely arriving in spring 2026. Among the delayed features is a significant upgrade to Siri, powered by large language models. This enhancement aims to make the voice assistant more conversational and versatile, akin to generative AI models like ChatGPT. While Apple is expected to preview this upgrade at WWDC 2025, users will have to wait months for its full implementation.
The staggered rollout strategy for iOS 18 has been particularly evident in its feature-rich updates. The recently released iOS 18.2, for instance, introduced a new wave of Apple Intelligence features, fulfilling promises made during the launch of the iPhone 16 series in September. These updates included smarter Siri integrations, refined on-screen awareness, and more granular per-app controls. Yet, this incremental approach has drawn resources away from iOS 19, raising concerns about whether the upcoming software will offer enough innovation to justify its release.
Apple's roadmap includes further updates to iOS 18, with iOS 18.3 and 18.4 expected to bring additional enhancements in early 2025. While these updates aim to refine the current operating system, they risk overshadowing the anticipated features of iOS 19, which may launch with fewer marquee advancements as a result.
Gurman emphasized that this protracted development cycle is not just a short-term issue but could set a precedent for future iOS releases. "The gradual rollout of features across iOS 18 to iOS 18.4 is leading to delays of some features scheduled for iOS 19," he wrote, adding that this pattern might lead to a more fragmented release schedule for iOS 19 as well.
