After a year where many users felt iOS was not exactly at its sharpest, Apple seems ready to regroup with iOS 27.
In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman outlines what Apple is planning for its next major iPhone update. And if you were expecting flashy redesigns or dramatic new features, you might want to lower your expectations just a bit.
This one sounds more like a deep clean.
Cleaning up “a bit of the mess under the hood”
Gurman describes iOS as “a bit of the mess under the hood,” which, honestly, feels accurate if you have used an iPhone heavily over the past couple of years. Random stutters, the occasional battery dip after an update, apps that feel heavier than they should, etc.
According to the report, Apple plans to:
- Remove “scraps” of old code
- Make some interface “tweaks,” but nothing massive
- Subtly upgrade older apps to “let them perform better”
It sounds boring on paper. But boring might be exactly what iOS needs right now.
Apple’s software used to be its secret weapon with stability, efficiency, and smooth animations. In recent years, that polish has felt less consistent. If iOS 27 is about restoring that reputation, that is a win.
Battery life is a key goal
The most interesting part of the report is the focus on efficiency.
Gurman writes:
“The company hopes that underlying code changes will result in efficiency gains that will end up giving users more juice.”
That line matters. Apple is not necessarily promising dramatic battery improvements through flashy features. Instead, it is hoping that smarter, leaner code will quietly improve endurance across the board.
If this works, it could mean better standby time, smoother background processes, and less drain during daily use. And here is the twist: Gurman notes it is “unclear if the company will market the changes — or if this is just a benefit of cleaning things up.”
In other words, you might just wake up one day and notice your iPhone lasts longer without Apple making a big slide about it on stage.
Liquid Glass is not going anywhere
iOS 27 is also expected to bring some minor interface tweaks, including adjustments to the Liquid Glass design language. Nothing major, according to the report, just refinements.
That is probably smart. Liquid Glass was a big visual shift, and while not everyone loved it at first, it has quickly become part of iOS’ identity.
If anything, subtle refinement signals confidence. Apple is not backtracking, it is iterating.
AI and Siri are still part of the plan
Beyond performance, Apple is also pushing forward with AI improvements.
Some of the Siri features originally promised at WWDC 2024 are reportedly sliding into iOS 27. Apple is also said to be working on a more advanced Siri chatbot experience powered by newer foundation models.
Related: Apple Confirms New Siri Still Launching in 2026 Despite Delay Reports
Given how competitive the AI space has become, this is an area Apple cannot afford to stumble in again. Cleaning up the core OS while expanding AI capabilities suggests iOS 27 could be more foundational than flashy.
If this report is accurate, iOS 27 may not be the update that grabs headlines for wild new features. Instead, it could be the one that quietly restores confidence.
A faster, more stable iPhone with better battery life and refined design is not dramatic. But it is exactly what long-time users have been asking for.
