Apple has finally shown us what’s going on with iOS 27.
At WWDC 2026, Apple officially launched iOS 27 after months of rumors. To no one’s surprise, the AI-enhanced version of Siri (and other Apple Intelligence bonuses) was the star of the show.
iOS 27 Beta Release: When and where to download it
Siri AI is coming to iOS 27
Create calendar reminders using AI.
Credit: Screenshot: Apple
The biggest thing that everyone expected to come to WWDC was the long-awaited improvement to Siri, called Siri AI, and Apple introduced a lot of news during that time. Powered by Gemini, the new version of Siri is better at natural language conversations and can be invoked by pressing the power button (as usual), by swiping down from the Dynamic Island, or via the new Siri app with chatbot-like interactions.
It can see what’s on the screen and use your own content to answer questions or create reminders for the user. In general, this looks very similar to what AI assistants like Gemini can already do in competing smartphones, but we’ll need to test them to see if that’s really the case as soon as it becomes available later this year … in the United States, anyway. The Siri AI debut in the EU and China has been delayed by regulatory processes in those two jurisdictions.
Other features of AI
Use Spatial Reframing to make photos look like you wanted without having to retake them.
Credit: Screenshot: Apple
Apple Intelligence appears to be coming to iOS 27, even if you don’t use Siri. For example, AI will generate suggested one-tap responses in Messages, or it will give you the same ability to quickly create Notes or Reminders based on context. Image Playground has been updated with additional image generation tools, including the ability to create photorealistic AI images. However, there will be limits to how much you can do this, depending on the iCloud storage tier you pay for.
Mashable Light Speed
One of the AI features that feels most useful here is the ability to use natural language to describe and create Shortcuts. The photo application has also received an update, with features including improved photo cleaning so you can delete unwanted objects from photos, a new Expand feature that can create multiple photos from the subject using AI, or a new Spatial Reframe tool to create a better frame in photos without taking another photo.
Some great things coming to iOS 27
Parental controls appeared to be the focus of WWDC. Apple is adding improved parental tools to its software suite, including more screen time controls and app permission requests. Also, in what may be exciting news for some, Apple has confirmed that every iPhone from the iPhone 11 onwards will support iOS 27. Previous rumors have indicated that the iPhone 11 family will be released from software support this year.
Apple also showed off a new customization slider for Liquid Glass, which allows users to slide between Ultra Clear on one side and Tinted Glass on the other. Other nuggets include menopause and the menstrual cycle in the Health app, custom sizing controls for AirPods, and a major visual change to flyover mode in Apple Maps.
Liquid Glass is here to stay, folks.
Credit: Apple
Besides Siri AI and those other AI bonuses described above, iOS 27 is not as bold and surprising as iOS 26 was when it introduced Liquid Glass. But maybe a year from now, we’ll all be using Siri AI every day, and I’ll look silly for saying that.
For more WWDC 2026 newsfollow our live blog to see all the latest announcements and surprises from Apple’s annual event.