Apple Sticks with Liquid Glass UI for iOS 27
Despite the departure of Alan Dye, the key designer behind Apple’s Liquid Glass user interface, the company is set to maintain this design language in its upcoming iOS 27 update. There had been speculation that Apple might abandon or significantly tone down the Liquid Glass aesthetic following Dye’s move to Meta in late 2025, especially amid criticism over legibility and prioritising style over usability. However, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple remains committed to the current UI direction and will not introduce major visual changes with iOS 27.
Focus on AI-Driven Features and System Stability
Rather than a comprehensive redesign, the iOS 27 update will concentrate on enhancing system stability and introducing advanced AI capabilities. A standout feature will be a dedicated Siri chatbot integrated directly into the operating system, rather than as a separate app. This chatbot is expected to leverage Google’s TPU-powered cloud infrastructure, potentially leased by Apple, to deliver a wide range of functionalities such as web searching, content generation including images, coding assistance, summarisation, and file uploads.
The Siri chatbot will also be designed to interact more intelligently with the device, using personal data to carry out tasks, viewing open windows and on-screen content, and adjusting settings dynamically. Internally referred to as Apple Foundation Models version 11, this AI model is anticipated to rival Google’s Gemini 3 in capabilities and significantly outperform the AI underpinning Siri in iOS 26.4.
Background and Context on Apple’s Design and AI Strategy
Apple’s Liquid Glass UI, introduced with iOS 26, has been a polarising design shift, with some users appreciating its sleekness while others raised concerns about readability. Dye’s exit had sparked rumours of a potential pivot away from this style, but Apple’s design team evidently remains invested in the aesthetic. Meanwhile, the company’s AI ambitions are becoming more pronounced, as evidenced by the integration of this advanced Siri chatbot, signalling a broader push into AI-enhanced user experiences.
Additionally, Apple has reportedly scaled back plans to overhaul its Health app within the iOS 27 cycle. This decision follows mixed results from the previous integration of ChatGPT Health, which delivered inconsistent and sometimes inaccurate health recommendations, prompting a more cautious approach.
What to Expect Next
The iOS 27 beta is expected to launch this summer, offering users a first look at these AI improvements and stability enhancements while retaining the familiar Liquid Glass interface. Observers will be keen to see how effectively the new Siri chatbot performs in real-world scenarios and whether Apple can address prior criticisms of its design language. Overall, iOS 27 appears to be a measured update focused on refining the user experience rather than reinventing it.