Apple has only just released iOS 27, but attention is already shifting toward what could be one of the company’s biggest software updates in years. iOS 28 is reportedly being developed with Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhone in mind, and early reports suggest the update could be far more significant than iOS 27. Apple is also reportedly testing iOS 28 internally on several future products, including a second-generation foldable iPhone and camera-equipped AirPods.
Why It Matters
iOS updates normally evolve gradually, but iOS 28 could be different.
The update is expected to arrive in 2027, marking two decades since Apple introduced the original iPhone. That timing matters because Apple is reportedly planning a major redesign for its 20th-anniversary iPhone, potentially making the device more edge-to-edge and significantly changing how users interact with the display.
That means iOS 28 may not simply add another collection of features to the existing iPhone experience.
It could be designed around an entirely new generation of Apple hardware.
For iPhone users in the US and UK, that makes iOS 28 one of the most important Apple software stories to watch over the next year — particularly as Apple has already started moving aggressively into AI with iOS 27.
The Details
Apple has not officially announced iOS 28 yet. The company is currently rolling out iOS 27, which introduces its next-generation Apple Intelligence features and the long-awaited Siri AI experience.
However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that iOS 28 is already shaping up to be “far more significant” than iOS 27. The software is reportedly codenamed “Bell” internally, while Apple is expected to preview it at WWDC 2027 before releasing the final version later that year.
The biggest reason for the expected change is Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhone.
Reports suggest Apple is working on an anniversary iPhone with a much more ambitious design, potentially featuring an edge-to-edge display and curved glass on multiple sides. The goal could be to create an iPhone with significantly fewer visible interruptions on the front of the device.
That could eventually mean major changes to the way iOS presents information.
The Dynamic Island, status indicators, notifications and other interface elements could need to be redesigned around a more immersive display.
And Apple may not stop there.
Reports indicate that Apple is already testing iOS 28 internally on several unreleased products. These reportedly include the 20th-anniversary iPhone, a second-generation foldable iPhone and camera-equipped AirPods that could become part of Apple’s broader AI strategy.
The camera-equipped AirPods are particularly interesting.
According to reports, cameras built into the AirPods could capture information about the user’s surroundings and feed that information into Siri. That would effectively give Apple’s AI assistant a new way of understanding the physical world around the user.
It represents a significant expansion of Apple’s AI ambitions beyond the iPhone itself.
What This Means for Apple’s AI Strategy
The biggest story behind iOS 28 may ultimately not be the interface.
It may be AI.
Apple has made Siri AI the headline feature of iOS 27, giving Siri greater ability to understand context, interact with information across apps and answer more complicated requests.
iOS 28 could take that concept considerably further.
Instead of Siri simply responding to questions, Apple’s long-term direction appears to be toward an AI assistant that understands what the user is doing, where they are and what is happening around them.
That becomes particularly interesting when multiple Apple devices are involved.
An iPhone could understand the user’s personal context.
AirPods could provide information about the user’s surroundings.
A foldable iPhone could provide a larger screen for interacting with AI.
And Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhone could provide the hardware platform that brings these experiences together.
That would represent a much bigger shift than another annual iOS feature update.
It would move Apple closer to an ecosystem where AI is continuously available across multiple devices.
The 20th-Anniversary iPhone Could Change iOS
The anniversary iPhone is likely to be the most important piece of the iOS 28 story.
Apple has historically used major iPhone anniversaries as opportunities for significant hardware changes. The tenth-anniversary iPhone X introduced Face ID, removed the Home button and established the basic design language that remained influential for years.
The 20th anniversary gives Apple another opportunity to make a major break from the past.
If Apple succeeds in creating a more seamless edge-to-edge display, iOS itself will need to evolve around it.
The interface could become less dependent on traditional status bars, buttons and fixed navigation elements.
That could create room for more contextual information, AI interactions and dynamic controls.
In other words, the hardware redesign and iOS 28 may be designed together rather than independently.
What This Means for iPhone Owners
For current iPhone users, the important question is compatibility.
Apple has not yet announced the iOS 28 supported-device list, so it is too early to say exactly which iPhones will receive every new feature.
However, Apple’s recent AI strategy already demonstrates that software availability and feature availability are not necessarily the same thing.
Some Apple Intelligence features require newer hardware because they depend on the processing capabilities of newer chips.
That distinction could become even more important with iOS 28.
An older iPhone may receive the operating system update but not necessarily every AI feature introduced alongside Apple’s 20th-anniversary hardware.
This means consumers considering an iPhone upgrade in 2027 may need to look beyond the traditional question of “How long will Apple support this iPhone?”
The more important question could become:
“Which iPhone gives me access to the full iOS 28 experience?”
What’s Next
The next major milestone will be WWDC 2027, when Apple is expected to officially preview iOS 28.
Until then, most information about the operating system will remain based on Apple’s internal development activity and industry reports.
The most important things to watch are the 20th-anniversary iPhone design, Apple’s next-generation AI capabilities, the future of Siri, and whether Apple’s camera-equipped AirPods become a real product.
The second-generation foldable iPhone is another major wildcard.
If Apple releases a second foldable alongside iOS 28, the software may need to become significantly more flexible in how it handles multiple screen sizes and multitasking.
That could make iOS 28 more than an annual software upgrade.
It could become the foundation for Apple’s next decade of devices.
FAQ
What is iOS 28?
iOS 28 will be Apple’s next major iPhone operating system, expected to be announced at WWDC 2027 and released later in 2027. Apple has not officially announced the software yet.
When will iOS 28 be released?
Apple is expected to preview iOS 28 at WWDC 2027, followed by beta testing and a public release in September 2027. The exact date has not been announced.
Why is iOS 28 expected to be a major update?
Reports indicate that Apple is developing iOS 28 around several major upcoming products, particularly its 20th-anniversary iPhone. The anniversary device is expected to feature a significant redesign, potentially requiring major changes to iOS.
Will iOS 28 have better AI?
AI is expected to remain a major focus. iOS 27 introduces Apple’s new Siri AI experience, while reports suggest Apple is working on additional AI-focused hardware and software experiences for the iOS 28 generation.
Will my iPhone get iOS 28?
Apple has not announced the iOS 28 compatibility list yet. Older iPhones may receive the update but could miss some advanced AI features if those capabilities require newer hardware.