A Smarter, More Conversational Siri Takes Center Stage
iOS 27 is expected to usher in a dramatic transformation for Siri, Apple's digital assistant, evolving it into a sophisticated chatbot with a dedicated application and enhanced conversational capabilities. This overhaul aims to position Siri as a direct competitor to leading AI agents such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. The new Siri experience will reportedly feature a chatbot-like interface, allowing users to interact using both text and speech, and even review past conversations.
A key visual change for Siri will be its integration into the Dynamic Island, where activating the assistant will display a "Search or Ask" prompt alongside a glowing cursor. Furthermore, iOS 27 will introduce personalized Siri features, enabling the assistant to retrieve and synthesize information from various Apple applications like Mail and Messages to answer user queries more comprehensively. Users will also have the flexibility to choose third-party AI services, including Google's Gemini, as defaults for certain Apple Intelligence features.
Camera App Reimagined with Customization and AI
The Camera app in iOS 27 is slated for a major redesign, offering users unprecedented levels of customization. Users will be able to personalize the interface by selecting and arranging controls, referred to as "widgets," to suit their individual preferences. These customizable widgets will cover various functions such as flash, exposure, timers, depth-of-field adjustment, and photo styles.
A new dedicated Siri mode within the Camera app will leverage Visual Intelligence to identify objects like plants and translate text, enhancing the app's smart capabilities. Beyond the Camera app, iOS 27 will also bring new AI-powered image editing tools within the Photos app and a redesigned Image Playground app with a simplified interface and improved AI models for generating more lifelike images.
Optimizing for the Foldable Future and System-Wide Enhancements
A significant focus of iOS 27 will be optimizing the software for Apple's highly anticipated first foldable iPhone, expected to launch in September 2026. This includes tailoring software features specifically for the new form factor, which is rumored to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display. The foldable iPhone will reportedly support multitasking with two apps side-by-side, bringing a new level of productivity to the device.
Beyond foldable support, iOS 27 is expected to deliver a strong emphasis on performance and stability, with some describing it as a "Snow Leopard" update focused on bug fixes and code optimization. Other system-wide improvements include an updated iPhone keyboard with enhanced autocorrect features and new animations, as well as a redesigned start page for Safari. The update will also introduce support for 5G satellite internet connectivity, though this may be limited to the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models.
Enhanced Apple Intelligence and Privacy
Apple Intelligence features will be deeply integrated throughout iOS 27, with a continued commitment to user privacy. Apple aims to process as much data as possible on-device, utilizing its Private Cloud Compute for cloud-based operations to ensure enhanced privacy and security. New Apple Intelligence features are rumored to include the ability to scan nutrition labels for health tracking, add contact information from various sources, and auto-generate names for Safari tab groups.
The Wallet app will also see enhancements, allowing users to scan paper tickets and passes to convert them into digital formats, with a focus on improving scanning security. These advancements in Apple Intelligence, coupled with the ability to integrate third-party AI models, underscore Apple's strategy to provide a powerful yet private AI experience.