Apple's iOS 27 targets battery life boost through major code cleanup and performance overhaul

iOS 27 to include code cleanup and interface tweaks in hopes to boost battery life: report - 9to5Mac

In today's edition of the Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared a number of new details about Apple's upcoming software release: iOS 27. The company is aiming to 'tidy' its codebase, upgrade older apps, and tweak Liquid Glass - and as a result, battery life should hopefully improve. It's been previously reported that iOS 27 would mostly focus on performance improvements and stability. However, today's report includes three key details on how the company will accomplish that: In the report, Gurman describes iOS as 'a bit of the mess under the hood'. If you've used any of Apple's software in recent years - you've definitely noticed an uptick in bugs, poor performance at times, and less battery life. Apple's software quality used to be one of its strong suits, so the recent decay has been disappointing at times to say the least. With all of this code cleanup across the board, Gurman reports that engineers are also working towards providing a battery life 'boost': The company hopes that underlying code changes will result in efficiency gains that will end up giving users more juice. If Apple does indeed pull off these improvements, it's unclear if the company will market the changes -- or if this is just a benefit of cleaning things up. Lastly, Apple is also focusing on improving its AI features in iOS 27. Recently, Bloomberg reported that some of Apple's key Siri promises made at WWDC 2024 would be delayed to iOS 27. We've also heard Apple is working towards a Siri chatbot of sorts for iOS 27, though it's likely there'll be even more to come as we get closer to the keynote in June.

Apple plans iOS 27 "Snow Leopard" update to fix performance issues

Apple's development roadmap for iOS 27 prioritizes deep artificial intelligence integration and a comprehensive under-the-hood cleanup designed to enhance system performance and battery efficiency. This strategy follows the release of iOS 26, which introduced the Liquid Glass design language but resulted in noticeable performance degradation, particularly on older iPhone models. The upcoming operating system update aims to rectify these issues through extensive code optimization and architectural refinements. The company's approach to operating system development follows a distinct cadence, periodically dedicating major releases to stability and optimization rather than feature expansion. This methodology mirrors the strategy employed with Mac OS X Snow Leopard in 2009, a release that prioritized speed and reliability over new user-facing capabilities. By stripping away legacy code and refining existing frameworks, Apple aims to create a more responsive and efficient software environment. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, writing in his Power On newsletter, Apple intends to adopt this refocusing strategy for iOS 27. Gurman reports that the company will systematically clean up the operating system by removing obsolete code, rewriting existing features, and subtly upgrading applications to improve their performance. These foundational changes are expected to result in a lighter, more responsive operating system. Gurman also indicates that Apple plans to implement UI tweaks specifically designed to mitigate the performance overhead introduced by the Liquid Glass interface in iOS 26. As a direct result of these architectural optimizations, sources suggest iOS 27 could deliver measurable improvements in battery life. This focus on power efficiency represents a significant engineering priority, marking the first time since iOS 12 in 2018 that Apple has mounted a major initiative specifically targeting iPhone performance and battery conservation. The company aims to provide users with extended usage times without compromising system capabilities. Alongside system-wide performance improvements, Apple reportedly plans to significantly enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities within iOS 27. The strategy includes deeper AI integration across the entire operating system and the development of a more conversational, chatbot-style interface for the Siri virtual assistant. This represents a shift toward more natural user interactions and context-aware processing throughout the device ecosystem. Apple has encountered significant delays and public criticism regarding the rollout of its initial AI features, prompting scrutiny regarding its competitive position against industry rivals. The development and release of iOS 27 presents the company with its most substantial opportunity to reset market expectations and demonstrate its ability to compete aggressively in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The success of these initiatives will likely determine Apple's standing in the technology sector's ongoing artificial intelligence competition.

These iOS 27 Changes Might Lead to Better Battery Life on Your iPhone

* iOS 27 might launch with new AI features * iOS 27 could feature the revamped Siri * Apple has yet to confirm the iOS 27 development Apple's iOS 27 update is expected to be released later this year, around the same time that the company is likely to launch the purported iPhone 18 Pro series and the first foldable device. While the rumoured release is still months away, details about the upcoming iOS 27 update have already leaked online. Recently, a report highlighted that iOS 27 will be released with certain UI improvements and new AI features. Apple is also expected to tidy up the iOS 27 codebase, which might offer efficiency and battery life improvements. Apple's Anticipated iOS 27 Software Improvements Bloomberg's Mark Gurman writes in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter that the Cupertino-based tech giant is planning to overhaul its proprietary OS to offer significant improvements, especially in the battery life department. Apple is reportedly working on cleaning up the iOS 27 codebase, making it tidier, which is claimed to lead to better battery efficiency. As part of its efforts, the tech giant will reportedly remove scraps of old code written for previous iOS versions, while also rewriting features and "subtly" upgrading the apps, allowing them to offer better performance. This, in turn, is said to make the OS "snappier" and "more responsive". Additionally, Apple is reportedly planning to bring some interface changes, which might not be as significant as iOS 26's Liquid Glass design. However, the report does not mention what these design changes would be. Code-named Rave, the iOS 27 is said to also offer improvement on the efficiency front. Engineers working on the OS reportedly hope that a tidier codebase will offer multiple gains. Another thing on Apple's list of priorities for the iOS 27 update is improved AI integration. Unveiled during the WWDC 2024, the revamped AI-powered Siri has been in development for nearly two years now. The company is reportedly planning to bring it with the iOS 26.5 and iOS 27 firmware versions. Earlier expected to arrive in March with the iOS 26.4 update, its release is said to have been delayed again. While some of the features are said to arrive with iOS 26.5, others could be seen with the rollout of the iOS 27 update. However, the Cupertino-based tech giant has yet to confirm the exact launch timeline for the AI-powered voice assistant and iOS 27. As previously mentioned, the iOS 27 update is expected to roll out soon after the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Fold, which is rumoured to take place later this year, in September.