Apple is expected to shift its strategy for its next major mobile software update, with iOS 27 reportedly placing a stronger emphasis on performance improvements and artificial intelligence rather than headline-grabbing new features. The information comes from Mark Gurman, who outlined Apple’s plans in this week’s edition of his Power On newsletter.
Focus on performance and software quality
According to the report, Apple is changing course after several years of major redesigns and feature-heavy iOS releases. Gurman states that for iOS 27, the company is “focused on improving the software’s quality and underlying performance,” signalling that refinement will take priority over expansion.
The update follows the introduction of iOS 26, which featured the Liquid Glass design overhaul, and a set of early Apple Intelligence features that have been introduced steadily since the AI initiative launched last year. These tools, however, were described as incomplete or underbaked, prompting Apple to double down on polishing the platform.
Gurman notes that Apple’s engineering teams are currently “combing through Apple’s operating systems, hunting for bloat to cut, bugs to eliminate, and any opportunity to boost performance and overall quality meaningfully.” He compares this strategy with the release of Snow Leopard for Mac in 2009, which was widely recognised for its focus on stability, efficiency and cleaning up the system rather than adding new layers of complexity. The suggestion indicates that iOS 27 could deliver a similar back-to-basics approach centred on reliability.
Renewed push to strengthen AI capabilities
While performance is a key priority, Apple is reportedly accelerating its work in artificial intelligence to match or surpass competitors in the growing AI race. The report states that the company is developing an AI-powered web search tool and preparing a significant overhaul of its Apple Intelligence platform.
Apple is also said to be planning broader integration of its AI features across more of its built-in apps, expanding beyond the limited set of tools that have rolled out so far. These enhancements are expected to make the system feel smarter and more responsive, offering deeper personalisation and improved assistance for everyday tasks.
A major part of this plan involves delivering an upgraded version of Siri. Apple has spoken about a more personal, more capable AI-powered Siri since 2024, but a full launch has yet to materialise. Gurman reports that this enhanced Siri experience is expected to arrive before iOS 27 is released. It may debut as early as iOS 26.4, which is anticipated to roll out in the spring.
Refinement over reinvention
The reported shift in strategy marks a notable change for Apple, which has often introduced broad visual changes or new feature sets in its yearly iOS updates. By focusing on stability, speed, and AI advancements, the company is taking a more measured approach to improving daily usability.
If the plans described in Gurman’s report hold, iOS 27 may stand out from recent releases not for flashy new features but for a renewed commitment to quality. Users could benefit from a cleaner, faster, and more reliable system, backed by more capable AI tools that support everyday interactions with their devices.
