Landing of iOS 26 represented one of the most radical design changes ever seen on the iPhone.with the new Liquid Glass visual material and an extensive use of transparencies and glass effects. This aesthetic shift not only affected Apple's mobile phone, but also extended to platforms like iPadOS and MacOSgenerating a lot of conversation among users.
With that foundation now established, Apple is preparing iOS 27 as a version much more focused on stability, performance and some key featuresespecially in artificial intelligence, advanced connectivity, and large-screen productivity. The update is expected to be unveiled at WWDC in June 2026 and, barring any surprises, will arrive in the fall for compatible iPhones in Spain and the rest of Europe.
An iOS in the style of “Snow Leopard”: less visual noise and more stability
After several generations filled with significant changes, leaks suggest that iOS 27 will follow a similar strategy to that of iOS 12 on iPhone or Snow Leopard on macOS: fewer new features, more internal work on polishing bugs and improving the overall fluidity of the system.
The idea within the company would be that The aesthetic leap of iOS 26 is consolidated with a more stable and faster systemespecially in models that have felt the effects of Liquid Glass. For many users in Europe, who value everyday reliability more than flashy new features, this approach may be quite reasonable.
Even so, the update would not be limited to a mere bug fix. There will be specific but relevant changes in very specific areas., such as artificial intelligence, multitasking for the future foldable iPhone, or satellite connectivity, which will shape the next stage of the iPhone ecosystem.
Apple Intelligence and Siri: more context, more naturalness, and support from Google Gemini
One of the key features of iOS 27 will be the expansion of Apple Intelligence and the evolution of Siri into a much more understanding and contextual assistantApple has been rebuilding the foundations of its virtual assistant for some time, and much of that work would really start to show in this version.
The company intends that Siri better understands what's happening on the iPhone screenThis includes more context about the open apps, the content being viewed, and relevant personal information about the user. The goal is for the responses to be more helpful and less rigid, resulting in a more natural and fluid conversation.
A key point is the Deeper integration of Siri with third-party applicationsThanks to the new APIs, the assistant is expected to be able to perform complex actions within other apps without requiring the user to switch between them. This would be especially useful for productivity tasks, messaging, or content management.
Apple itself has already made it clear that The development of Siri and Apple Intelligence will rely on Google Gemini's artificial intelligenceThis agreement would allow the company to offer more powerful generative AI capabilities, while maintaining its own focus on privacy and local processing whenever possible.
The main Apple Intelligence databases would be deployed earlier through iOS 26.4, But iOS 27 would incorporate additional features and technical improvements in elements such as Genmoji, Image Playground, smart notification summaries or writing tools, expanding their use to more system apps.
Multitasking and the future foldable iPhone: the big change in productivity
Another of Apple's major lines of work for iOS 27 has to do with true multitasking designed for the first foldable iPhoneThis device, which many media outlets are already calling the iPhone Fold, features a screen of around 7,7 inches when the phone is unfolded, opening the door to a very different way of using iOS.
The leaks indicate that iOS 27 would debut an advanced multitasking system only available on the foldable iPhoneThis interface would allow the use of several applications at the same time, with the possibility of having multiple windows visible in parallel in apps such as Safari, Messages, Apple Maps, Photos, or FaceTime.
The function of drag and drop would gain considerable prominenceThis facilitates the movement of text, images, or files between applications without intermediate steps. The experience would be closer to what an iPad currently offers than what we're used to on a traditional iPhone.
For the other models, such a radical change is not expected, but Adjustments to window management, overlays, and transitions between appsTaking advantage of everything learned from the development of the foldable mode. In any case, the major multitasking revolution would be reserved for the new hardware.
Satellite connectivity beyond the emergency
Satellite connectivity has become a key point in the high-end smartphone rangeespecially in emergency situations or in areas without mobile coverage. Apple was one of the pioneers in this field with the satellite SOS mode introduced in the iPhone 14, available in several European countries.
With iOS 27, the plans involve expand those services beyond specific emergenciesLeveraging its collaboration with Globalstar, the company would explore new features on the same satellite infrastructure.
- Sending messages via satellite when there is no cell phone or Wi-Fi coverage.
- Possible Basic image transfer in satellite messaging, with size restrictions.
- Navigation with Apple Maps supported by satellite on critical routes or in remote areas.
- Opening of a Satellite API for third-party developers, under highly controlled conditions.
One of the technical objectives would be reduce the dependence on having to "point" the iPhone to the sky so precisely, making the experience feel more natural. However, it would still be a function heavily dependent on location, local regulations, and agreements with operators in each European country.
AI-powered search and system app changes
Among the leaked new features, the following also appears a new search tool based on artificial intelligence which would coexist with the solutions already present in the system. Apple maintains a very profitable agreement with Google for web results in Safari, so a complete change of model is not expected, at least in the short term.
This smart search function would be more focused on Spotlight and in the device's own content Rather than directly replacing a traditional search engine, it would help find information among emails, notes, files, messages, or system settings in a more semantic way, using natural language.
In addition, the company is working on a complete redesign of the Calendar app which would arrive on iOS 27 as well as other platforms. This update, which was initially planned for earlier, was delayed due to the priority given to the Liquid Glass rollout.
Among the most talked-about improvements are greater integration between Calendar and Reminders, with automatic event creation from tasks, combined views, and greater flexibility to manage personal and professional appointments from one place.
Planned dates and focus on Europe
As for the release schedule, everything points to iOS 27 will be unveiled at WWDC in June 2026Following Apple's usual pattern, the first developer beta would be released that same day, and shortly after, a public beta version.
The final version would be distributed Starting in September on compatible iPhonesThis will likely coincide with a new generation of devices. In Europe, including Spain, the rollout is usually simultaneous with that of other major markets, so there shouldn't be significant differences in dates.
Some of the more advanced features of Apple Intelligence, however, It would still be limited to the most recent iPhone models.Primarily due to the power and dedicated hardware requirements for AI tasks. This would especially affect generative and locally intensive processing features.
iPhones compatible with iOS 27 and models that would be left out
Given Apple's support history and the requirements of iOS 26, it can be anticipated with reasonable certainty. Which iPhone families will maintain the iOS 27 update and which ones are no longer part of the plans, beyond the official confirmation that the company will offer at WWDC.
At the bottom of the table, All models that could no longer install iOS 26 will remain out. of the update cycle. We're talking about generations that have gone years without support, from the first iPhone to the Xs series, which are now stuck on previous versions.
In contrast, there is a fairly extensive list of iPhones that, at first glance, Yes, they would continue to receive iOS 27Logic dictates that all devices capable of successfully handling the Liquid Glass redesign should be able to make the switch:
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max.
- iPhone SE (2rd generation, 2020).
- iPhone 12 and 12 mini series, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.
- iPhone 13 and 13 mini series, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max.
- iPhone SE (3rd generation, 2022).
- iPhone 14 range: 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.
- iPhone 15 range: 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
- Later models such as iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max and 16e.
- The latest high-end families: iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and derivative models such as iPhone Air.
In any case, Not all new features will be available on all devicesApple Intelligence in its most complete version would remain exclusive, as planned, to the most recent high-end range, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro and successors, something that has also been seen in previous versions with advanced features.
For those thinking about renewing, the logical recommendation would be aim for the most current models possible within the budgetDevices like the hypothetical iPhone 16e are presented as balanced options in Europe, combining recent hardware with more affordable prices than the Pro range.
Looking at the whole picture, iOS 27 is shaping up to be A less visually spectacular update, but very relevant in terms of stability, AI, and new ways to use the iPhone.Especially with the arrival of the foldable model and the expansion of satellite connectivity. For users in Spain and the rest of Europe, the key will be to check which features are activated in each market and which iPhone models can truly take advantage of them.