As the unveiling of Apple’s next major iPhone software update draws closer, reports are beginning to gel on which iPhone models we can expect to get

I would submit that the average iPhone owner does not pore over the latest iOS release notes and that many would be unable to tell you which version of iOS they are currently running. If that fictional everyman checked Settings and learned that it was 18.

With this name change, Apple will help users distinguish the year in which the respective iOS version will be mostly used. That's why iOS 26 is being announced in 2025, as iPhone users will be using it for just four months this year, but more than eight months in 2026.