Apple is modifying the initial development phase for iOS 28, iPadOS 28, and macOS 28. The company aims to provide engineers with more time to explore new concepts and develop features before integration begins.
Previously, the M1 development stage consisted of two four-week periods: one for feature coding and one for integration. Under the new plan, the coding period is extended to six weeks, while the integration phase is reduced to two weeks.
According to Mark Gurman, this change focuses on reallocating resources within the M1 stage rather than extending the overall software development cycle. The subsequent M2 and M3 phases remain unchanged.
Apple employees have reportedly responded positively to the adjustment. The extended early development window is intended to allow teams to evaluate various creative ideas more thoroughly before finalizing the feature set.
Based on Apple's standard release schedule, the company is expected to unveil iOS 28 at the WWDC conference in June 2027, with a public release following in the autumn of the same year.
