WWDC 2025 expected to be smaller in scale, fewer AI announcements likely

Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2025 is anticipated to be a more "smaller-scale" event compared to its predecessors, according to recent reports. The subdued outlook is primarily attributed to the absence of significant new hardware releases and growing internal concerns about Apple's position in the rapidly evolving generative AI landscape. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is holding back on big AI reveals, leading some employees to worry that the event may be a “letdown” in terms of artificial intelligence advancements.


Why WWDC 2025 will be smaller

In recent years, WWDC has often been a platform for Apple to unveil groundbreaking new devices alongside its software advancements. However, for WWDC 2025, the report suggests that there are no major new devices ready to ship. This absence of a "one more thing" moment in hardware is expected to temper the usual excitement surrounding the conference.

• No Major Hardware Launches – Unlike WWDC 2023, which introduced the Vision Pro, and WWDC 2024, which unveiled Apple Intelligence, this year’s event is unlikely to feature groundbreaking devices.
• Limited AI Progress – Apple is not expected to showcase significant AI advancements , potentially falling behind competitors like OpenAI and Google.
• Focus on Software Redesign – The biggest highlight will be a visionOS-inspired UI overhaul across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, and watchOS 26, featuring glass-like translucent elements.

What to expect at WWDC 2025Despite the scaled-down nature of the event, Apple will likely introduce:

• Swift Assist Updates – Enhancements to Apple’s developer tools.
• Rich Text Editor for SwiftUI – A new feature aimed at improving app development workflows.
• On-Device AI Models for Developers – Apple may allow third-party developers to embed its AI models into apps, though these models are smaller and less powerful than OpenAI’s or Google’s offerings.