As Apple’s WWDC 2025 developers’ conference approaches, all eyes are on iOS, macOS and other Apple versions. We expect a huge overhaul in the next update of the following iPhone – ie iOS 19 or iOS 26 if a new denomination scheme comes into play – which is very exciting. But I think that the best iOS feature to come has nothing to do with your iPhone, and it is rather airpods.
You see, different versions of iOS introduce new AirPods features. The adaptive audio was part of the iOS 17 and the leading gestures for Siri interactions were part of iOS 18, like some examples. And a new report of 9TO5MAC suggests that the next version of iOS will present new features of new AirPods.
Apparently Apple is ready to extend the gestures from the head I mentioned. You can soon put an end to the consciousness of the conversation with a subtle section of the head, rather than slipping towards the rod as if you had a itch that you cannot reach. And then there is the sleep function, which is very interesting. Apple would have added automatic sleep detection to suspend your audio when you doze the middle of the podcast.
Camera control is one of the most controversial features of the iPhone 16, and now it should go to Airpods. Apple could add the possibility of taking a photo with a tap on the rod of your airpods. This would absolutely ruin the aesthetics of your selfie, so makes the most meaning for group images on a timer. Since, you know, your phone is otherwise in your hand. It seems to me to be a nice niche feature.
Apple should also simplify how airpods get married with shared iPads in classroom environments. If you’ve already seen a group of children try to connect their headphones to a school device without any adult intervention, you will understand why it counts. Fewer steps, less cries.
Then there is Audio Mix, a feature that could help people save videos using AirPods. In fact, I think it could be the most useful of all new features. This new micro mode will transform your headphones into a makeshift lava microphones, which could change the situation for creators. That it is to compete with a real microphone lavalier is not yet seen, but if it is decent, it is a kit less in your bag.
All these elements should be announced during the Keynote of Apple WWDC 2025, which starts on Monday, June 9.
