Apple is reportedly planning a major hardware shift in 2027. There are rumors that the company will also launch a low-cost MacBook with a smartphone chip alongside its first foldable iPhone. We may also see a different release cycle for the mainline iPhones, splitting the typical fall release cadence.
While these are exciting developments worth keeping an eye on, Apple will be more interested in pulling off another turnaround that focuses on software. And especially with AI efforts on its mobile devices. The driver of these changes will likely be iOS 27.
Reports so far have predicted a Siri upgrade that would finally catapult Apple into the generative AI era, following in the footsteps of Gemini, which is making its way into all major areas of Android. But iOS 27 will likely be a vehicle for a whole host of other tweaks too.
Bloomberg has predicted that the next major iOS update could follow the same strategy as Mac OS That might sound a little disappointing, but Apple has been cooking up a few tricks in the background that could finally come to fruition next year and dramatically change the iPhone experience.
A new way to experience apps
Towards the end of 2025, Apple shed some light on a framework it released to developers with iOS 26 and its accompanying updates. Simply put, it is the secret that allows developers to integrate AI actions into their apps. Now we are not talking about third-party AI chatbot integration. Instead, the AI model is at the heart of Apple Intelligence and works entirely on the device.
“The Foundation Models framework enables developers to build new intelligence capabilities that protect user privacy and are available offline, all using free AI inference,” explains Apple. Well, here’s the more promising part.
Apple reportedly plans to use a custom Gemini framework to strengthen Siri. And if the current implementation on Android devices is anything to go by, we can expect Siri to perform app actions – without even having to open those apps. Gemini already does this with Google’s own apps and some third-party apps like WhatsApp.
In Apple’s case, the fundamentals are already there to play with. The Use Model feature in the Shortcuts app allows users to choose between on-device, Apple’s cloud computing, and ChatGPT for AI-powered actions. With the upcoming revision of Siri, the assistant will carry out cross-app actions independently.
Additionally, if the new ChatGPT app store and shortcuts in AI browsers are any indication, Siri could become the central action for completing tasks in various apps using voice or text prompts. Since the launch of the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple’s smartphones have been equipped for such demanding AI actions, and iOS 27 might just put some moonshot ideas into action.
Siri redesign
Apple is reportedly looking to redesign the Siri assistant. At the moment the approach is rather arbitrary. Long-pressing the power button brings it up, as does double-tapping the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen. Visual Intelligence has its own UI activation route.
Gemini on Android has created a comparatively cohesive and consistent interaction experience. Whether voice mode, live chat or screen recognition – everything can be triggered within the same central user interface. It’s unclear exactly how Apple plans to change the current Siri design, but it could definitely use some tidying up.
A good starting point would be extending Siri’s multimodal AI capabilities into dedicated widgets, just like you can position Gemini actions on the iPhone’s lock screen. Siri could also benefit from a system that allows it to bring up apps or certain AI-powered shortcuts with custom keywords.
Apple Health+
The gamble Apple took on health and wellness with wearables has paid off handsomely. And as the tech stack and market matured, it launched its own subscription service called Fitness+, which included new sensor capabilities.
With iOS 27, Apple could open another chapter with a new service called Health+.
According to reports, it is an AI-powered platform that enables new features such as food logging, coaching, and more. An AI doctor could be the central part of the experience. “The service would be powered by a new AI agent that would replicate – at least in part – a real doctor,” Bloomberg reports.
The AI coach will reportedly collect data from Apple wearables and process it to offer personalized recommendations. The Apple Health+ service will also offer videos with experts in sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health and cardiology.
An AI-powered search tool
A system-wide search tool for iOS is reportedly in development, according to Bloomberg. The search system not only allows users to search files and other content on their device, but also delves into the internet to find answers.
“Apple’s new search experience will include a user interface that leverages text, photos, videos and local points of interest, the report says. It will also feature an AI-powered summarization system that should make results quicker to digest and more accurate than what the current Siri offers,” the report said.
The Universal Search system should be familiar with the Spotlight upgrades that Apple introduced with macOS Tahoe. And if it can integrate add-ons like a clipboard and custom actions, the planned AI search system would become the activity hub on iPhones.
A new kind of app multitasking
Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone will reportedly introduce a new iOS variant that unfolds on a larger screen. Now it would be more convenient for Apple to simply scale things up and provide a unified experience on the external display and the inner flexible panel similar to an iPad mini.
I believe that Apple will take a different path, or at least should take one. Google has done a remarkable job optimizing the core operating system for foldable phones, while companies like Samsung and OnePlus have gone a step further in developing their unique multi-app and window management tricks.
Flex mode on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Canvas on the OnePlus Open are fantastic examples to take inspiration from. Apple could also emulate DeX and turn the foldable iPhone into its own data center without deviating too much from the core look of iOS 27.
Stage Manager in iPadOS and macOS is a unique idea that Apple can take advantage of. So far, details about the foldable iPhone’s software are murky, but it’s almost obvious that Apple will deliver some innovative ideas on how to get the most out of iOS 27 on a roughly eight-inch screen.
