Apple has just revealed its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, known to tech fans as WWDC, or “dub dub”, will take place online from June 8 to June 12 this year. It’s the event where Apple previews the biggest updates coming to its software for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, allowing third party developers to prepare to adapt their apps.

This is ahead of the usual flagship iPhone unveiling in September, around which time the software often goes out to iPhones new and old around the world.

It means if you are always wanting to see how the look and function of your iPhone is going to change this year, June 8 is the big date for your diary.

WWDC moved majority online after the covid-19 pandemic, though Apple said in a press release that developers and students “will also have the opportunity to celebrate in person during a special event at Apple Park on June 8.”

“WWDC26 will spotlight incredible updates for Apple platforms, including AI advancements and exciting new software and developer tools,” Apple said.

“As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting developers, WWDC will also provide unique access to Apple engineers and designers, and insight into new tools, frameworks, and features.”

The current version of iOS, iOS 26, courted some controversy when it launched alongside the iPhone 17 last year as it introduced Liquid Glass, a new design language now present on all Apple devices that takes it cues from the glassy look and feel of visionOS, the software for Apple’s Vision Pro VR headset.

Though I personally got used to this quite quickly after the update, many iPhone fans are not happy with the change, partly because, for some, the transparent elements introduced into iOS make it harder to read text in various apps and menus.

The next version of iOS will be iOS 27, with Apple also under pressure to deliver tangible upgrades to Apple Intelligence, its AI software smarts designed to rival Google Gemini – although in January, Apple and Google announced a multi-year deal “under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology” – so Gemini will in fact be powering Apple Intelligence.

If you want to see what big new features your iPhone will be getting in September – or indeed to see if you might be in need of an iPhone upgrade this year to get all the new goodies – you can tune in to the main keynote address from WWDC on June 8 via Apple’s YouTube channel.

Fans may also to tune in to see if Apple makes any hints whatsoever about the existence of the rumoured first foldable iPhone, which whispers suggest will be launched later this year. Developers will have to adapt their apps to work on a larger internal folding screen.