In varied methods, this yr’s Apple working system updates (iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 and so forth) represented a significant departure from the previous, from the brand new model numbering system to the unconventional new Liquid Glass design language. However not everybody was satisfied.
Liquid Glass proved controversial, a lot in order that Apple was compelled so as to add a toggle to let customers tone down its showy visible results. iOS 26 and its siblings had been additionally beset by bugs, from keyboard typos to battery drain. And this all follows the closely AI-focused launches in 2024, which promised quite a few options that may find yourself closely delayed or fail to look in any respect.
With this background, it’s maybe not stunning to study that 2026’s launches will reportedly take a unique method. Within the newest version of his Energy On e-newsletter, Bloomberg author Mark Gurman stories that iOS 27 and the opposite OS updates subsequent yr can be what’s often called upkeep releases, specializing in enhancing stability and efficiency relatively than new options. He doesn’t cite a supply for this prediction, however often bases his claims on nameless stories from inside the firm.
“For iOS 27 and subsequent yr’s different main working system updates,” Gurman writes, “the corporate is targeted on enhancing the software program’s high quality and underlying efficiency… Engineering groups at the moment are combing by way of Apple’s working methods, trying to find bloat to chop, bugs to eradicate, and any alternative to meaningfully enhance efficiency and total high quality.”
As Gurman factors out, this is able to be paying homage to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the Mac replace launched in 2009. Very like iOS 27, this adopted a significant and considerably disruptive replace, within the form of 2007’s Mac OS X Leopard; relatively than making an attempt to pile on much more change, Apple selected to repair and optimize the raft of latest options it already had.
The slight downside is that nowadays, iPhone OS updates particularly are large information, usually forming the centerpiece of Apple’s publicly broadcast WWDC keynote in the summertime. Having to get on (digital) stage and spend greater than an hour speaking about bug fixes and bloat elimination might not be an interesting prospect for Craig Federighi, who will need a minimum of a couple of tentpole options to debate. And Gurman concedes that this may most likely occur.
The tentpole options, inevitably, will give attention to AI. Gurman says we will count on Apple’s AI well being agent to reach subsequent yr, in addition to AI-powered net search. With the brand new Siri lastly anticipated to roll out within the spring, iOS 27 will have the ability to construct on a agency AI basis.
Watching WWDC, one will little doubt be left with the impression that AI is the large information for 2026. However look extra intently, and the proof means that the actual change can be extra understated, and maybe extra worthwhile.
