Do you remember the days when new iOS versions might introduce major redesigns? iOS 7, I’m looking at you. Despite annual whispers predicting another big iOS revamp, I feel very confident in saying those days are over. And one recent app debacle shows why.
Sonos redesign debacle is a cautionary tale
Sonos, in case you haven’t been paying attention, has had a very bad go of it lately.
The company recently replaced its CEO following months of attempted fixes for its big 2024 mistake: launching a major app redesign.
The new Sonos app debuted in April, setting off a massive wave of customer complaints and bad press for the company that lasted the entire year.
It’s a perfect case study for why Apple’s days of major iOS revamps are over.
If the new Sonos app had launched in the early era of the company, I feel quite confident that it would have been fine.
Meaning, even if it had the same issues, the small, enthusiast user base would have either adapted, or Sonos would have shipped the fixes and it wouldn’t have been such a debacle.
The story is similar with iOS.
iPhone’s success has made big change especially risky
Back when the iPhone was still on the ascent, Apple was able to ‘get away with’ major redesigns because its user base was much smaller and more tech-forward.
These days, society depends so much on the iPhone. Hundreds of millions of users—with varying tech competencies—all depend on it.
If Apple made sweeping changes to how iOS looks and works, there’s a strong chance the backlash would be crippling.
Even if the redesign were seen by many as a positive change, Apple’s user base is so vast, there’s almost guaranteed to be loud opposition.
The solution isn’t to let iOS get stagnant, and Apple knows that.
Instead, Apple’s practice has been to make any significant iPhone changes on an app-by-app basis.
For example, iOS 18’s Photos app changes caused plenty of controversy, prompting fixes in subsequent software updates. But it was just one app, so the impact was limited.
Revamping the whole of iOS? That would be a huge risk for Apple.
As fun as the thought of an iOS 7-style major revamp sounds to me (and maybe you), most iPhone users who aren’t as eager for change might see it as a nightmare.
The Sonos debacle is a great cautionary tale for Apple and any other major tech player with a large, established user base.
It also means we might just need to accept smaller, iterative iOS design refreshes.
Do you think Apple should fully redesign iOS? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.
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