Did Apple save the best parts of the OS 27 updates for September?

We’ve known for several months that OS 27 would largely revolve around performance gains, design tweaks, and the big Siri upgrade first previewed in 2024. To no one’s surprise, WWDC26’s main keynote turned out to be exactly that and, as such, was one of the most uneventful Apple events in a long time. While the forthcoming operating systems pack plenty of smaller quality-of-life updates, the conference lacked any sort of surprise factor: Headlining features had leaked in advance, and we didn’t get any “One More Thing” announcements. 

That’s not the full story, however. Despite WWDC being Apple’s dedicated event for annual software announcements, the company tends to preserve a few tidbits for its fall hardware launch. So, while we may have a solid idea of what OS 27 will look like for existing phones, there’s still more to come. Specifically, we expect iOS 27 to be tuned for the upcoming iPhone Ultra with some new multitasking features, watchOS to pack a new face, and tvOS to get smarter.

There’s Ultra in the air

While Apple hasn’t publicly referenced its first folding smartphone, iOS 27 code all but confirms it’s being actively developed. Known as iPhone Ultra, the device is set to launch in September—alongside the stable iOS 27 build. According to the code, the system will identify its folding state and angle, presumably for app layouts to adapt accordingly.

Apple has also been encouraging developers to design flexible apps that work reliably regardless of the screen size or aspect ratio. This seems like an indirect confirmation that a device with an atypical display could be coming soon.

Beyond cryptic code snippets and developer recommendations, iOS 27 features concrete, user-facing changes that support this theory. The Apple Music, Fitness, and Health apps have all gained landscape orientation support after long being locked to portrait orientation. This shift suggests that the iPhone Ultra launch is imminent, potentially as soon as this fall.

As such, by the time iOS 27 launches, Apple is certain to introduce some exclusive iPhone Ultra features like multitasking and potential app window resizing. While many of these perks probably won’t make it to all other iPhone models, Apple could announce other universal iOS features during the iPhone 18 event, such as multitasking with split-screen apps.

Heading Home

The full iOS 27 feature list isn’t the sole Dub Dub absentee. tvOS 27 was barely mentioned during the event for similar reasons. It’s long been rumored that the next Apple TV 4K and HomePod models are ready to ship but are awaiting the Siri 2.0 update. This suggests that these smart home devices could similarly launch in the fall with OS 27.

Like the folding iPhone, Apple has likely held back some iOS 27 features until the next-gen HomePod and Apple TV arrive. It’s not clear whether any of them will support older models, but even if they do, it makes sense to hold off on any new features until the new devices arrive, especially if some of them are visual as well as audio features for the rumored HomePad. 

While it’s not clear what AI features the new smart home devices will support, we can make some safe bets. The additions in tvOS 27 could realistically include AutoMix in Apple Music, the smarter Siri 2.0 with personal context and world knowledge support, and comprehension of more complex smart home commands. 

Watch this space

The Apple Watch was notably absent from the WWDC keynote. While watchOS 27 brings some new features, including a new dynamic app grid, Siri AI support, Call Context, and other design refinements and general improvements, it didn’t get much stage time during the event. 

Along with the lack of attention, Apple slashed support for watchOS 27, eliminating the Series 6, 7, and 8, 2nd-gen SE, and original Ultra from the compatibility list. Apple didn’t explain why it uncharacteristically removed so many models. It appears to be related to the S9 chip, which was the first system-in-package to have a Neural Engine, but the stringent requirements could mean bigger and better features are coming this fall, not just to the new watches but older models as well.

As the Apple Watch has matured, Apple has begun running out of meaningful hardware upgrades to incorporate into its annual releases. For this reason, Apple often announces new watchOS apps and faces during the fall event, disguised as latest-generation exclusives, such as last year’s Sleep Score and hypertension notifications. Things like the rumored Modular watch face could still be coming to all smartwatches running watchOS 27 in September, as well as some new health and lifestyle features.