Following the criticism Apple faced with its iOS 26 update, which introduced the world to the concept of Liquid Glass, the tech giant is looking to follow a tweaked approach in next year’s iOS 27, similar to OS X Snow Leopard. According to recent speculations, the Tim Cook-led organization is aiming to focus on fixing underlying performance improvements in its next big update rather than launching new features.
Here’s what iOS 27 will have
Apple doesn’t intend to introduce any new features in the much-awaited iOS 27, as well as the software for its other platforms, including macOS 27, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS, at the upcoming WWDC 26.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, instead, the company’s engineering teams are reportedly scouring Apple’s operating systems to identify redundant bloatware and bugs in an effort to enhance the device’s performance and quality. As such, iOS 27 is expected to mimic Apple’s OS X Snow Leopard, which served a similar purpose when it was introduced in 2009.
Nevertheless, the 2026 update wouldn’t be completely devoid of new features, with Apple seemingly looking to add two major AI features, namely an AI health agent, as well as the company’s first AI-powered web search feature. The said additions should closely follow the introduction of AI-infused Siri in iOS 26.4, which would draw power from a special version of Google Gemini, as per current rumors.
In addition to focusing on improving quality and the aforementioned AI features, Apple’s iOS 27 should also include three other inclusions, namely:
- Enhancements for enterprise users
- Customized and particularly crafted features for users in emerging markets
- Design enhancements for Liquid Glass
Therefore, according to Gurman’s account, longtime iPhone users could find Apple’s approach regarding the iOS 27 update to be similar to what they experienced in 2009’s OS X Snow Leopard. The update should also come as a welcome change for Apple enthusiasts, who’ve largely had a mixed experience with the much-discussed iOS 26.
Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on Mandatory.
