iOS 17, the next major update for the iPhone, may be a less significant update than Apple initially hoped, as the company and its engineers are focusing more on its upcoming AR/VR headset. Apple has been working on an AR/VR headset and xrOS operating system for several years. Expected to be released in 2023, Apple engineers are focusing less on other operating systems, including iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates. Bloomberg.

In the latest Power On newscast, Gurman says that internally, iOS 17, codenamed Dawn, may have “less major changes than originally planned” as Apple focuses more on ‌xrOS‌ for its upcoming headset. A similar approach has taken place with macOS 14, codenamed Sunburst, Gurman says.

iOS 14 announced in 2020 and iOS 16 announced last June brings updated widgets to the “iPhone” home screen, an app library, new features in standard apps like Maps and Safari, a redesigned lock screen, etc. It was two major updates that brought iOS 17, along with iPadOS 17, macOS 14, and watchOS 10, will be announced at WWDC in June.