Apple is all set to launch its new iPhone software iOS 27 this year. In line up of the new iPhone 18 series, which is expected to be a foldable phone and also the first foldable phone offered by the company. The company also focused on the software side by updating it to iOS 27 and also focusing on artificial intelligence.
It is anticipated that the iOS 27 update would completely redesign Siri, launch a standalone Siri app, add useful AI-powered features to the Photos and Camera apps, and set the stage for a more open Apple Intelligence ecosystem with third-party connections. At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026 keynote on June 8, Apple is anticipated to give a public peek of iOS 27. The full version will be released in September along with the next iPhone lineup.
The New Siri- The biggest change
Apple is going to transform Siri from a voice-command assistant to a full AI chatbot while launching iOS 27, which was supposed to happen long ago. It can compete with Claude, Gemini and ChatGPT directly. There will be a dedicated Siri app with an iMessage-like back-and-forth conversational interface that will support both text and voice input, allow users to browse previous chats and provide suggested prompts. There will be a pill-shaped animation that will show up on the dynamic Island when Siri is engaged with the side button or the wake phrase.
According to reports, Apple intends to release a brand-new Siri app with a feature named "Extensions" with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. Swiping down from anywhere in the OS can activate a system-wide "Search or Ask" panel, making AI queries just a single gesture away.
Here are the top features you can expect from iOS 27
Images & Camera
According to the reports of Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple is planning to launch three new AI-powered tools for image editing, which will be Extend, Enhance and Reframe that will join the existing Clean Up features in a new "Apple Intelligence Tools" section in the Photos app. Additionally, Image Playground is being updated with a more user-friendly interface, a revised grid layout, and a "describe a change" option for altering already-created content. Models that generate more realistic visuals are being tested by Apple. Just to reduce the overheating and also the battery drain issue, they have also upgraded Genmoji to use fewer system resources.
Updated AirPods settings panel
In iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, Apple is revamping the AirPods settings menu. With the addition of head gesture controls and hearing aid capability, the update falls short of the complete standalone AirPods app that customers have been demanding. The present settings panel is being rearranged to make it clearer, more useful, and better at highlighting important features that are currently hidden.
Alternatives to AirPlay will be available for EU compliance
In order to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) of the European Union, Apple is incorporating support for third-party AirPlay replacements with iOS 27. Wireless streaming of audio, video, and photographs from an iPhone to a speaker or TV will be possible by default using services like Google Cast. It's yet unclear if this feature will be available on all smartphones or just those in the EU.
Writing Tool
An AI-related update will make writing tools more powerful, including grammatical checks, and easier to find in the operating system. Additionally, a "Write with Siri" button might be included.
Wallet & Visual Intelligence
Apple is reportedly working on features including scanning nutrition labels, adding phone numbers and addresses to contacts from photographs, adding physical tickets and passes to Wallet, and automatically creating tab group names in Safari, according to back-end code leaks.
AI for health
Apple's vision includes a redesigned Health app and a new Apple Health+ subscription service.
Support for the iPhone Fold
The next iPhone Fold, which will allow two apps side by side and introduce multitasking to the iPhone for the first time, will work with iOS 27. Additionally, apps will have sidebars.
Connectivity
It's possible that Apple is developing an API to enable third-party developers to add satellite connectivity to Apple Maps. According to reports, support for 5G NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) for iPhone 18 Pro models is also in the pipeline, enabling iPhones to remain connected wherever they are.
Here is the list of phones that are eligible for iOS 27
The following devices are anticipated to work with iOS 27. Keep in mind that an iPhone 15 Pro or later is required to use Apple Intelligence features.
- iPhone 18 series (iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the first iPhone Fold)
- iPhone 17 series (iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 17 Air and 16e)
- iPhone 16 series (iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max and 16e)
- iPhone 15 series (iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max)
- iPhone 14 series (iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max)
- iPhone 13 series (iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max)
- iPhone 12 series (iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation, 2022)
Here is the list of phones that are not eligible for iOS 27
These are the iPhones that, regrettably, cannot be updated to iOS 27 and are not included in this list of devices that support iOS 27.
- iPhone 11 series: iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max (A13 chip)
- iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020)
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone XS, XS Max, XR (older models dropped before iOS 27)
- iPhone X and earlier models
iOS 27 Release Date
Apple is going to preview iOS 27 publicly at the WWDC 2026, which is going to be held on June 8. The full version will be released in September along with the new iPhone lineup. Based on Apple's past practice of launching alongside new iPhones, September 14 is most likely the stable public release date. The public beta usually appears in mid-July, six to eight weeks after the development beta.
