New iOS27 features at WWDC: Apple has officially lifted the lid on iOS27 during its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2026), revealing one of the most AI-focused updates in the iPhone’s history.
The headline feature is undoubtedly Siri AI, a completely redesigned version of Apple’s digital assistant that moves far beyond simple voice commands and enters the world of conversational artificial intelligence. Alongside Siri AI, Apple has announced updates to Image Playground, new Camera intelligence features, improved parental controls, expanded health tracking and greater customisation for the controversial Liquid Glass interface introduced last year.
The new operating system will be available for iPhone models dating back to the iPhone 11, although some advanced AI features will require newer Apple Intelligence-compatible devices.
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New iOS27 features at WWDC
Siri AI Takes Centre Stage
The biggest announcement at WWDC was the transformation of Siri into a fully AI-powered assistant.
Apple has spent the past year facing criticism for falling behind rivals such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Claude in the rapidly evolving AI market. With iOS27, the company is making its most significant move yet to close that gap.
Siri AI is deeply integrated throughout the iPhone experience and is designed to understand personal context, access information across apps and perform more advanced tasks on behalf of users.
Instead of simply answering basic questions or setting timers, Siri AI can now search through messages, emails, photos, reminders and other content stored on your device to provide more personalised responses.
Apple says the assistant can also take actions directly within apps, helping users complete tasks without manually navigating through menus.
The assistant can be activated through voice commands as before, but users can also swipe down on the Dynamic Island to begin a text-based conversation with Siri AI.
Siri Gets Its Own Dedicated App
One of the most surprising announcements was the launch of a dedicated Siri AI application.
The new app transforms Siri into a full conversational chatbot, bringing Apple closer to experiences already offered by ChatGPT and Claude.
The app stores conversation history and allows users to continue chats across multiple Apple devices. For example, a conversation started on an iPhone can be picked up later on an iPad or Mac.
Users will also be able to pin important conversations, revisit previous discussions and start entirely new chats whenever they choose.
Apple says conversation history will be securely synced using iCloud, ensuring continuity across devices while maintaining privacy protections.
The addition of a dedicated Siri app signals Apple’s intention to position Siri as more than just a voice assistant. Instead, it becomes a central AI companion available throughout the Apple ecosystem.
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Siri AI Can See Through Your Camera
Another major enhancement comes through the Camera app.
iOS27 introduces a new feature called Siri Mode, which allows users to point their camera at objects, locations, products or documents and receive contextual information instantly.
The feature works similarly to visual search tools such as Google Lens but is integrated directly into Apple’s AI ecosystem.
For example, users could point their camera at a landmark to learn more about it, scan a product for additional information or ask Siri questions about something currently visible through the camera lens.
This visual intelligence capability represents one of Apple’s biggest AI upgrades and demonstrates how Siri is becoming increasingly aware of the world around the user.
Image Playground Becomes More Realistic
Apple’s AI image generation tool, Image Playground, is also receiving a significant upgrade.
When Image Playground launched in 2024, it focused primarily on stylised illustrations and artistic creations. With iOS27, users will now be able to generate photorealistic images using Apple’s AI technology.
The move brings Apple’s image generation capabilities closer to competing AI platforms that can create highly realistic visuals from text prompts.
Apple says the updated Image Playground will make it easier for users to create professional-quality images directly on their devices without relying on third-party tools.
Liquid Glass Gets More Customisation
Apple is also responding to feedback about its Liquid Glass design language introduced in iOS 26.
The visual redesign divided opinion when it launched, with some users praising its modern appearance while others found the transparency effects distracting.
In iOS27, Apple is giving users greater control over how Liquid Glass looks.
A new customisation slider allows users to adjust the transparency level of interface elements throughout the operating system. Users can choose between highly translucent effects, fully opaque elements or anything in between.
This added flexibility should help address complaints while allowing users to tailor the appearance of iOS to their personal preferences.
Health App Adds Menopause Support
Apple continues to expand the health capabilities of the iPhone with new menopause and perimenopause tracking tools.
The Cycle Tracking feature within the Health app can now record symptoms associated with both menopause and perimenopause.
Users will be able to log symptoms, monitor changes over time and access educational content designed to help them better understand these stages of life.
The update reflects Apple’s ongoing commitment to expanding women’s health features within its ecosystem.
Stronger Parental Controls Arrive
Parents are also receiving a substantial update in iOS27.
Apple has introduced a range of new parental controls and Screen Time enhancements designed to make managing children’s devices easier and more effective.
When creating a child account, parents can now immediately enable age-appropriate protections across the entire device.
The updated Setup Assistant allows parents to choose exactly which apps are available and maintain control over future app additions.
Communication Safety features have also been expanded. Parents can require approval before new contacts are added and enable automatic intervention if explicit or violent content is detected in messages.
These changes aim to provide greater peace of mind while helping families navigate an increasingly connected digital world.
An AI-Focused Future for the iPhone
With iOS27, Apple has clearly placed artificial intelligence at the heart of the iPhone experience.
While new design tweaks and health features are welcome additions, Siri AI represents the most significant change to the platform. By combining conversational AI, personal context awareness, visual intelligence and cross-device continuity, Apple is attempting to transform Siri from a simple voice assistant into a true digital companion.
The success of that vision will depend on how well the new features perform when they arrive later this year, but one thing is clear: iOS27 marks the beginning of a new AI-driven chapter for the iPhone.
via Apple Newsroom
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