Apple has officially pushed the Release Candidate (RC) of iOS and iPadOS 27 to developers and public beta testers, according to IThome. This marks the final step before the stable version ships, which is expected to coincide with the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Refinements and Performance
The update continues to polish the Liquid Glass design language, with improved contrast for better readability and new sliders that let users adjust the appearance of the interface. Apple also claims faster app launch times and an upgraded AirDrop for quicker file transfers. On the networking front, iOS/iPadOS 27 will intelligently switch between Wi-Fi and cellular connections for the best experience.
Accessibility gains include a new feature that automatically generates synchronized subtitles for videos, with the ability to translate existing subtitles into other languages. For audio, AirPods users will get a custom equalizer on iPhone, allowing adjustments to bass, midrange, and treble based on personal preference.
Compatibility and Availability
iOS 27 is compatible with iPhone 11 and later, including the second-generation iPhone SE. For macOS 27, Apple has published a list of supported Macs, with M-series chips getting priority for Liquid Glass and performance optimizations.
The RC is available to registered developers and public beta testers via the Software Update settings. The stable release is expected to arrive with the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, focusing on bug fixes and system stability. IThome notes that Apple has also removed the iPhone 17 Pro series from its online store, with price increases of up to 2,300 yuan (about $324) on other models, and the China-market iPhone Air now starts at 8,799 yuan (about $1,239), a roughly 19% rise.
Based on reporting by IT之家. Edited and published in English by geisou.
