ConnexioniOS 27: All the Rumors About Apple's Next Big iPhone Software Update
It's only been two months since iOS 26 launched, but rumors don't take breaks. We're already hearing details about the next-generation iOS 27 update, which Apple will introduce in June 2026 before launching it in September 2026.
We've rounded up all of the rumors that we've heard so far.
In 2026, Apple plans to launch the first foldable iPhone, a device that could be called the iPhone Fold. Rumors suggest that it will feature a 5.5-inch display when folded, and a 7.8-inch display when it's opened up like a book.
An iPhone with a larger display that also folds will require some major updates to iOS, and iOS 27 will focus on building new interfaces and experiences made for a larger display.
We haven't heard specifics on how Apple will tweak iOS to accommodate the iPhone Fold, but we could see some iPad-like options such as side bars and perhaps even multitasking views with support for multiple windows.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has described iOS 27 as a "Snow Leopard" update, suggesting that Apple will focus on improving underlying performance and quality rather than introducing major new functionality. Apple engineers are reportedly going through iOS 26 to look for bloat, bugs, and any other issues impacting performance.
iOS 27 might include refinements for the Liquid Glass design that Apple introduced with iOS 26. There have already been some changes in the iOS 26.1 and iOS 26.2 updates, but iOS 27 will provide Apple with the opportunity to make larger adjustments.
We're supposed to get the much smarter version of Siri in an iOS 26.4 update planned for spring 2026, but it's likely even more Apple Intelligence capabilities will follow in iOS 27.
We don't know specifics yet, but Apple Intelligence features could expand to additional apps.
Apple is working on a "World Knowledge" Siri search feature that would provide information on general search queries, which will likely be included in Siri's iOS 26.4 update. If it's not in iOS 26.4, the add-on Siri feature could instead come in iOS 27.
With iOS 27, Apple could update Siri's design. Siri will get its major overhaul in iOS 26.4, but a new visual look is supposedly planned for iOS 27. There are no specifics about what the redesign might entail, but rumors linked to Apple's upcoming tabletop robot suggest that the company might introduce a version of Siri that's more animated, similar to the Mac Finder logo. That more animated version of Siri could also come to the iPhone and iPad.
Apple is rumored to be developing a paid Health+ service with nutrition planning and medical suggestions, and we could see that introduced as part of iOS 27.
The medical tool would explain different health metrics and trends from the Health app, offering up personalized guidance for health improvement.
Apple is working on several new satellite features for the iPhone, and it's possible some features could be introduced as soon as 2027. Timing on Apple's satellite improvements is unclear, though, and behind-the-scenes updates from Apple's satellite partner Globalstar are required.
Rumored features:
Some of these features might require new hardware, but options like Apple Maps via satellite would not require components beyond what's available now.
New versions of iOS, macOS, and Apple's other software platforms will be previewed in June at WWDC before launching in September just ahead of when new iPhone models come out.
This article, "iOS 27: All the Rumors About Apple's Next Big iPhone Software Update" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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We've rounded up all of the rumors that we've heard so far.
Foldable Features
In 2026, Apple plans to launch the first foldable iPhone, a device that could be called the iPhone Fold. Rumors suggest that it will feature a 5.5-inch display when folded, and a 7.8-inch display when it's opened up like a book.
An iPhone with a larger display that also folds will require some major updates to iOS, and iOS 27 will focus on building new interfaces and experiences made for a larger display.
We haven't heard specifics on how Apple will tweak iOS to accommodate the iPhone Fold, but we could see some iPad-like options such as side bars and perhaps even multitasking views with support for multiple windows.
Bug Fixes
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has described iOS 27 as a "Snow Leopard" update, suggesting that Apple will focus on improving underlying performance and quality rather than introducing major new functionality. Apple engineers are reportedly going through iOS 26 to look for bloat, bugs, and any other issues impacting performance.
Liquid Glass
iOS 27 might include refinements for the Liquid Glass design that Apple introduced with iOS 26. There have already been some changes in the iOS 26.1 and iOS 26.2 updates, but iOS 27 will provide Apple with the opportunity to make larger adjustments.
Apple Intelligence
We're supposed to get the much smarter version of Siri in an iOS 26.4 update planned for spring 2026, but it's likely even more Apple Intelligence capabilities will follow in iOS 27.
We don't know specifics yet, but Apple Intelligence features could expand to additional apps.
Apple is working on a "World Knowledge" Siri search feature that would provide information on general search queries, which will likely be included in Siri's iOS 26.4 update. If it's not in iOS 26.4, the add-on Siri feature could instead come in iOS 27.
Siri
With iOS 27, Apple could update Siri's design. Siri will get its major overhaul in iOS 26.4, but a new visual look is supposedly planned for iOS 27. There are no specifics about what the redesign might entail, but rumors linked to Apple's upcoming tabletop robot suggest that the company might introduce a version of Siri that's more animated, similar to the Mac Finder logo. That more animated version of Siri could also come to the iPhone and iPad.
Health+
Apple is rumored to be developing a paid Health+ service with nutrition planning and medical suggestions, and we could see that introduced as part of iOS 27.
The medical tool would explain different health metrics and trends from the Health app, offering up personalized guidance for health improvement.
New Satellite Features
Apple is working on several new satellite features for the iPhone, and it's possible some features could be introduced as soon as 2027. Timing on Apple's satellite improvements is unclear, though, and behind-the-scenes updates from Apple's satellite partner Globalstar are required.
Rumored features:
- Apple Maps via satellite
- Photos in Messages via satellite
- Satellite API framework for third-party apps
- Satellite over 5G
- Satellite connectivity without the need for a view of the sky
Some of these features might require new hardware, but options like Apple Maps via satellite would not require components beyond what's available now.
Launch Date
New versions of iOS, macOS, and Apple's other software platforms will be previewed in June at WWDC before launching in September just ahead of when new iPhone models come out.
This article, "iOS 27: All the Rumors About Apple's Next Big iPhone Software Update" first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
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