Apple is said to be considering a significant hardware change in 2027. Rumors suggest the launch of a budget-friendly MacBook powered by a smartphone chip and the first foldable iPhone. Additionally, there might be a shift in the release cycle of mainline iPhones, potentially breaking away from the typical Fall release pattern.
While these developments are exciting, Apple’s focus seems to be on software, particularly on AI efforts for mobile devices. This emphasis is expected to be reflected in iOS 27.
Reports indicate that iOS 27 could introduce a Siri upgrade that propels Apple into the generative AI era. The update might follow a similar strategy to Mac OS X Snow Leopard in 2009, focusing on refinements rather than flashy new features. Despite this, Apple has some tricks up its sleeve that could revolutionize the iPhone experience next year.
A New App Experience
In late 2025, Apple introduced a framework for developers with iOS 26, enabling the integration of AI actions within apps. This framework, known as Foundation Models, allows developers to incorporate on-device AI models to enhance user experience.
Apple is reportedly planning to leverage a custom Gemini framework to enhance Siri’s capabilities. Similar to its implementation on Android devices, Siri could potentially handle app actions without requiring users to open the respective apps.
With the impending Siri overhaul, users can expect cross-app actions to be seamlessly handled by the assistant, offering a more integrated experience across different apps.
Redesigning Siri
Apple is rumored to be considering a redesign of the Siri assistant. Currently, the activation methods for Siri are varied, leading to a somewhat disjointed experience. A more cohesive and uniform approach similar to Gemini on Android could be in the works for Siri.
Possible changes to Siri’s design might include expanding its AI capabilities into dedicated widgets and introducing a system for summoning apps or AI-powered Shortcuts using custom keywords.
Apple Health+
Apple’s foray into health and wellness with wearables has been successful, leading to the introduction of Fitness+ and new sensor capabilities. With iOS 27, Apple could introduce Health+, an AI-powered platform offering features like food logging, coaching, and personalized recommendations.
Health+ is expected to feature an AI doctor component that replicates a real doctor to some extent, offering users a comprehensive health and wellness experience.
AI-Powered Search Tool
Apple is reportedly working on a system-wide search tool for iOS that will not only search through device content but also tap into the web for answers. This new search experience will utilize text, photos, video, and local points of interest, offering an AI-powered summarization system for faster and more accurate results.
The universal search system is expected to be a central hub for activities on iPhones, similar to the Spotlight upgrades introduced in macOS Tahoe.
Innovative App Multitasking
Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone is set to introduce a new iOS experience on a larger screen. While scaling up the existing interface is an option, Apple could take inspiration from Google, Samsung, and OnePlus to create unique multi-app and window management features for the foldable device.
Possibilities include leveraging ideas like Flex Mode on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Canvas on the OnePlus Open to enhance multitasking capabilities on the foldable iPhone. Apple could also explore concepts like DeX and Stage Manager to optimize the user experience on the larger screen.
