Apple isn’t standing still even after iOS 26, which debuted in the fall. According to a new report in Bloomberg by reliable source Mark Gurman, the tech giant is already gearing up for its next major operating system, iOS 27, which will bring “major updates” to the Apple Intelligence platform. This claim signals that Apple will not slow down its AI strategy and will greet users with two major AI upgrades in quick succession.
Two Major AI Waves Are Coming
Gurman’s leak suggests Apple has an ambitious AI timeline for 2026.
- The Wave (Spring 2026 – iOS 26.4): As Gurman himself previously reported, Apple aims to deliver the long-awaited all-new Siri experience with iOS 26.4. This update will bring three major capabilities previously promised to Siri: personal context understanding, in-app actions, and screen awareness, along with additional new features. This alone is seen as a much “bigger” leap forward in AI than the more than 20 Apple Intelligence features in iOS 26.
- The Wave (Fall 2026 – iOS 27): At the WWDC event in June, “major updates” to Apple Intelligence and the company’s overall AI strategy will be announced, along with new operating systems like iOS 27, macOS 27, and watchOS 27.
While a “supercharged” Siri is already expected with iOS 26.4, the emphasis on “major updates” for iOS 27 demonstrates Apple’s desire to gain significant momentum in the AI race.
This means users will receive both a major overhaul of Siri in the spring and, immediately following (in the summer for beta users), more extensive Apple Intelligence improvements.
Gurman’s mention of updates to the “overall AI strategy” is also intriguing. While it’s unlikely Apple will completely abandon its current privacy-focused, on-device AI approach, it’s likely it will make strategic adjustments to adapt to recent trends.
