Apple is reportedly eyeing a serious {hardware} shift in 2027. The corporate is closely rumored to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by a smartphone chip, alongside its first foldable iPhone. We’d additionally see a distinct launch cycle for the mainline iPhones, one which splits the everyday Fall launch cadence.
Whereas these are thrilling developments value maintaining a tally of, Apple will probably be extra serious about making a distinct turnaround targeted on software program. And particularly, with AI efforts on its cellular gadgets. That driver of these adjustments will seemingly be iOS 27.
Up to now, reviews have predicted a Siri improve that lastly pushes Apple into the generative AI period, following within the footsteps of Gemini discovering a spot in all main corners of Android. However iOS 27 will seemingly be a car for a complete bunch of different tweaks, too.
Bloomberg has predicted that the subsequent massive iOS replace might observe the identical technique as Mac OS X Snow Leopard all the way in which again in 2009. That replace targeted extra on refinements and polish as a substitute of flashy new options. Which may sound a tad disappointing, however Apple has been brewing a couple of methods within the background that would lastly bear fruit subsequent yr and dramatically change the iPhone expertise.
A brand new approach to expertise apps
In direction of the top of 2025, Apple shed some mild on a framework that it launched for builders with iOS 26 and its companion updates. Merely put, it’s the key sauce that enables builders to include AI actions inside their apps. Now, we’re not speaking about integrating third-party AI chatbots. As a substitute, it’s the AI mannequin that’s on the coronary heart of Apple Intelligence and works fully on-device.
“The Basis Fashions framework permits builders to create new intelligence options that defend customers’ privateness and can be found offline, all whereas utilizing AI inference that is freed from price,” explains Apple. Now, right here’s the extra promising half.
Apple is reportedly planning to make use of a customized Gemini framework to spice up Siri. And if the present implementation on Android gadgets is something to go by, we will count on Siri to deal with app actions – with out having to open these apps within the first place. Gemini already does it with Google’s personal apps and a few third-party apps similar to WhatsApp.
In Apple’s case, the foundations are already there to play with. The “Use mannequin” perform within the Shortcuts app lets customers decide between on-device, Apple’s cloud compute, and ChatGPT for AI-powered actions. With the approaching Siri overhaul, the assistant will deal with cross-app actions by itself.
Furthermore, if the brand new ChatGPT app retailer and shortcuts in AI browsers are a sign, Siri might grow to be the central motion for getting work executed throughout completely different apps with voice or textual content prompts. Apple’s smartphones have been prepared for such demanding AI actions for the reason that iPhone 15 Professional landed, and iOS 27 might simply convey some moonshot concepts to fruition.
Siri redesign
Apple is reportedly eyeing a redesign for the Siri assistant. Proper now, the strategy is moderately haphazard. A protracted press on the ability button summons it, and so does a double-tap on the navigation bar on the backside of the display. Visible Intelligence has its personal UI activation route.
Gemini on Android has created a relatively cohesive and uniform expertise of interacting with it. Whether or not it’s voice mode, dwell chat, or screen-awaress, it may possibly all be triggered inside the identical core UI expertise. It’s unclear precisely how Apple plans to alter the present Siri design, however it might use some decluttering for positive.
A superb place to begin can be increasing Siri’s multi-modal AI capabilities into devoted widgets, simply the way in which you’ll be able to place Gemini actions on the iPhone’s lock display. Siri might additionally profit from a system the place it may possibly summon apps or particular AI-powered Shortcuts with customized key phrases.
Apple Well being+
The gamble Apple took on well being and wellness with wearables paid off handsomely. And because the tech stack and market matured, it spawned its personal subscription service known as Health+, tagging alongside new sensor capabilities.
With iOS 27, Apple might unfold one other chapter with a brand new service supposedly known as Well being+.
This one will reportedly be an AI-powered platform that may allow new options similar to meals logging, teaching, and extra. An AI physician might be the central a part of the expertise. “The service can be powered by a brand new AI agent that might replicate — at the very least to some extent — an actual physician,” reviews Bloomberg.
The AI coach will reportedly accumulate knowledge from Apple wearables and can course of it to supply personalised suggestions. The Apple Well being+ service may also provide movies that includes sleep, vitamin, bodily remedy, psychological well being, and cardiology consultants.
An AI-powered search instrument
A system-wide search instrument is reportedly on the event slate for iOS, as per Bloomberg. Along with letting customers search by information and different content material on their gadget, the search system will dip into the net for locating solutions.
“Apple’s new search expertise will embrace an interface that makes use of textual content, photographs, video and native factors of curiosity, in accordance with the folks. It additionally will provide an AI-powered summarization system designed to make outcomes extra rapidly digestible and extra correct than what’s supplied by the present Siri,” says the report.
The common Search system ought to really feel acquainted to the Highlight upgrades Apple launched with macOS Tahoe. And if it may possibly combine add-ons similar to a clipboard and customized actions, the deliberate AI search system would grow to be the exercise hub on iPhones.
A brand new taste of app multitasking
Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone will reportedly introduce a brand new taste of iOS that unfolds on a bigger display. Now, it’d be handy for Apple to easily scale issues up and provide a uniform expertise throughout the exterior show and the internal versatile panel that may resemble an iPad mini.
I consider Apple will take a distinct route, or at the very least it ought to take one. Google has executed a exceptional job at optimizing the core OS for foldable telephones, whereas the likes of Samsung and OnePlus have gone a step additional at creating their distinctive multi-app and window administration methods.
Flex Mode on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Canvas on the OnePlus Open are unbelievable examples to take some inspiration from. Apple might additionally imitate DeX and switch the foldable iPhone into its personal computing hub, with out deviating an excessive amount of from the core iOS 27 look.
Stage Supervisor inside iPadOS and macOS is a singular concept that Apple can leverage. Up to now, particulars concerning the foldable iPhone’s software program have been shrouded in thriller, however it’s virtually apparent that Apple will ship some revolutionary concepts on learn how to get the most effective out of iOS 27 on a display that’s roughly eight inches in dimension.
