The visual overhaul of iOS 26, with its Liquid Glass design, was ambitious. But after months of use, cracks have begun to show: lingering bugs, interface elements obscured at crucial moments and native apps slow to adapt to the new aesthetic. While iOS 26 represented a significant leap forward, it wasn’t a finished product. Now, Apple appears to be shifting gears.
iOS 27, internally codenamed “Rave,” signals a different approach. Instead of adding layers of new features, Apple is reportedly prioritizing internal cleanup: eliminating legacy code, rewriting existing functions, and refining overall stability and performance. This focus on optimization could be a boon for users, particularly those with older devices.
Rumors suggest Apple will maintain compatibility with iPhones dating back to the iPhone 11, mirroring the strategy employed with iOS 12 in 2018. Given the primary goal is performance improvement—rather than introducing features demanding more powerful hardware—there’s little technical reason to exclude devices that remain functional. Specifically, the following models are expected to be compatible with iOS 27:
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
The technical demands of iOS 27 are expected to be minimal, largely limited to Apple Intelligence features, which were already restricted to iPhone 15 Pro models and later due to their 8GB of RAM. The core of the operating system—performance improvements, stability, and battery life—shouldn’t require additional processing power. In fact, the goal is to reduce resource consumption.
A Return to the iOS 12 Philosophy
The comparison to iOS 12 is apt. In 2018, Apple delivered a system update that restored fluidity to iPhones that had become sluggish under iOS 11, extending compatibility all the way back to the iPhone 5s, a five-year-vintage device at the time. It’s become known as one of Apple’s most enduring updates.
iOS 27 has the potential to mirror that success. The current context makes it even more relevant: a cycle of feature additions—like Apple Intelligence and Liquid Glass—has created technical debt. “Rave” represents a logical response, prioritizing refinement over revolution.
Alongside these core improvements, iOS 27 is also expected to bring a revamped Siri with a chatbot interface, expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, and enhancements to satellite connectivity, potentially including 5G internet access via satellite. However, some of these features may be limited to the iPhone 18 Pro, which will feature a new C2 modem. These additions are noteworthy, but they aren’t the defining characteristic of this update.
A Boost for Older iPhones
The real benefit of iOS 27 may lie in its potential to revitalize older hardware. If the rumors hold true, iPhone 11, 12, 13, and 14 owners who aren’t planning an immediate upgrade stand to gain the most. The update promises to make those iPhones run faster, more reliably, and with improved battery life—without requiring a new device. The official reveal will come in June at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), but rarely has an update described as “boring” held so much promise.
What remains to be seen is the extent of these performance gains and how effectively Apple addresses the lingering issues from iOS 26. The focus on internal improvements suggests a commitment to long-term stability and user experience, a welcome shift after the ambitious, but sometimes bumpy, rollout of Liquid Glass.
Have you experienced performance issues with iOS 26? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
