SAN FRANCISCO, January 19, 2026, 13:41 (PST)
- Early reports point to Siri upgrades, new “Apple Intelligence” AI tools and expanded satellite features in iOS 27
- One rumor list includes 5G satellite internet support that could be limited to future “Pro” iPhones
- Separate reporting says Apple is prioritizing stability and performance after recent feature-heavy iOS releases
Apple’s next major iPhone software update, iOS 27, could add 5G satellite internet support and expand satellite features, while pushing a more capable Siri and new Apple Intelligence tools such as an AI health coach, MacRumors reported on Sunday. The site said the first iOS 27 beta should arrive at WWDC in June, with a broader release expected in September. (MacRumors)
The early chatter matters because Apple’s software preview season is not far off. Macworld said WWDC 2026 is anticipated for June 8 and the company’s iPhone launch event usually lands in September, a window when Apple tends to ship its next iOS version to users. (Macworld)
There is also a different thread running through the rumors: fewer fireworks, more cleanup. A 9to5Mac roundup said Apple’s primary iOS 27 focus is “quality and underlying performance,” and cited Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman saying engineers are “combing through Apple’s operating systems” for bloat and bugs; the report also said iOS 27 will be tuned for Apple’s first foldable iPhone. (9to5Mac)
Apple Intelligence is Apple’s label for artificial intelligence, or AI, features across the iPhone’s core apps and Siri. The rumor lists suggest Apple wants Siri to remember context, nudge users with proactive prompts, and generally act less like a voice command box.
Satellite is the other headline-grabber, mostly because of what today’s system still can’t do. Apple says “Messages via satellite” lets iPhone 14 and later users send iMessage or SMS texts when they have no cellular or Wi‑Fi signal, but it does not support sending photos or videos; Apple also says its satellite network for these features is provided by Globalstar and partners. (Apple Support)
The “Snow Leopard” comparison keeps resurfacing, too. In a November 2025 Power On newsletter, Gurman described iOS 27 as a no-frills, quality-first release — a callback to Apple’s 2009 Mac OS X Snow Leopard update that was known more for tightening the screws than adding new polish. (Bloomberg)
If Apple leans more heavily on Google’s Gemini models for parts of Siri or Apple Intelligence, it would underline how hard the AI race has become in phones, even for a company that sells the stack end-to-end. And if Apple really is getting ready for a foldable iPhone, it would be stepping into a hardware category where Samsung and other Android vendors have years of practice.
Some of the rumored additions also read like a services play. A Health+ subscription with an AI coach would push Apple further into health guidance, where the stakes are higher than auto-summarising a text thread.
But the risks are obvious: Apple can change course, delay features, or limit them to premium devices — MacRumors said the 5G satellite internet piece might only reach future iPhone “Pro” models. Satellite internet also depends on coverage, partners and local approvals, and health-related AI features face questions around accuracy and responsibility.
Apple has not announced iOS 27 or confirmed any feature list. For now, the best signal will come from what Apple ships before June — and what it chooses to show, or not show, when WWDC arrives.
