iOS 27 and iOS 28: Apple's Next Big Software Updates

Apple is still preparing to unveil iOS 27, but early rumors about the next major update have already surfaced. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman said in a recent edition of his Power On newsletter that iOS 28 could be a much more significant release than iOS 27.

Gurman hasn't provided details on new features yet, but he notes that the version with the number 28 already looks more substantial than the 2027 update. He also revealed the internal code names for future systems: iOS 28 is called Bell, and macOS 28 is called Poppy.

There's particular interest in iOS 28 because it could be the first operating system for the anniversary iPhone marking 20 years since Apple's smartphone launch. That device is expected next fall and, according to rumors, will feature a heavily redesigned look. If Apple is indeed preparing a major hardware update, the company might pair it with equally significant software changes.

That said, iOS 27—which should be shown at WWDC in just a week—doesn't look like a minor release either. The main focus is expected to be an updated Siri and new Apple Intelligence features. The assistant should gain a better understanding of the user's personal context, awareness of what's on screen, and the ability to work with data from apps like Mail and Messages.

iOS 27 is also rumored to include a standalone Siri app for text and voice interaction in a chatbot style, plus a Search or Ask feature for the Dynamic Island. But if Gurman's information is correct, Apple is saving the biggest changes for iOS 28 and the anniversary iPhone generation.

iOS 28 won't be officially unveiled until WWDC 2027, so specifics are still far off. However, Gurman's early hint suggests Apple might be building a two-phase strategy: first updating Siri and Apple Intelligence in iOS 27, then using iOS 28 as the foundation for a more significant shift in design, interface, and iPhone capabilities.