iOS 27: What We Know About the Upcoming Features Coming to Your iPhone

      Apple has officially announced iOS 27, and this year’s iPhone update is achieving two objectives at once. While much attention was focused on the highly anticipated Siri AI release that Apple has been developing for years, there were also numerous refinements, design adjustments, and underlying changes. The company has implemented many small quality-of-life enhancements that should enhance user interaction with the iPhone.

      iOS updates can significantly impact performance, particularly in less exciting areas, such as whether older iPhones continue to feel functional after the upgrade. Here’s a summary of the key features arriving with iOS 27.

      Siri AI is the standout upgrade

      The most prominent feature of iOS 27 is Siri AI, Apple’s revamped assistant powered by advanced Apple Intelligence. Apple is marketing it as a more capable version of Siri, capable of understanding personal context, analyzing content on your screen, answering broader queries using online knowledge, and performing actions across various apps.

      In everyday use, this means that Siri should be able to retrieve old emails, extract information from Messages, search through Photos, comprehend what you're viewing on-screen, and assist with tasks within apps with less manual navigation. Furthermore, there's a new dedicated Siri app that offers a more authentic AI chatbot experience. Users can revisit previous conversations or initiate new ones, with history privately synced via iCloud.

      Siri also introduces a new Camera mode that allows you to point your iPhone at an object and pose questions about it using Visual Intelligence. Siri has lagged behind other modern AI assistants, and iOS 27 aims to make it relevant again.

      Deeper app integration for Apple Intelligence

      Siri AI is one aspect of Apple Intelligence’s broader integration throughout iOS 27. Apple is introducing AI functionalities across Photos, Safari, Messages, Mail, Passwords, Shortcuts, Home, and more. Photos will feature Spatial Reframing to enhance the composition post-capture. Clean Up is also receiving upgrades, while Image Playground will gain additional flexible image generation options, including realistic styles. However, some of these image-generation features will have daily usage limits due to their reliance on server models, with expanded access available through specific iCloud+ plans.

      Safari will offer smarter tab management and a helpful Notify Me function that tracks webpage changes, ideal for monitoring product restocks, registration updates, price changes, or other content you typically refresh manually. Messages will provide smarter contextual suggestions, while Passwords will assist in quickly updating eligible accounts. Additionally, the Phone app will now include Call Context to display relevant information from Mail or Messages during calls.

      Shortcuts are becoming more user-friendly

      Though Shortcuts have been a capable tool on the iPhone, they often remain underutilized. While performance was never an issue, the setup process used to deter many users. iOS 27 aims to simplify that with Apple Intelligence. Instead of manually combining actions, users can now describe their desired automation in plain language. For example, you can request a message to send your estimated arrival time to someone when departing for work. Shortcuts will then compile the necessary steps using location, Maps, and Messages.

      This makes the overall process more straightforward and reliable, though some complex shortcuts may still require manual adjustments. Apple has offered automation capabilities for some time, but iOS 27 encourages casual users to give it a try.

      Liquid Glass receives refinements

      Apple introduced Liquid Glass in iOS 26, and iOS 27 will not replace it but rather enhance its usability. A significant change is the addition of a new transparency slider, allowing users to adjust the Liquid Glass effect from completely clear to fully tinted. This feature will be particularly useful for those who appreciate the aesthetic but found certain parts too cluttered or difficult to read. In addition, Apple will sharpen icons with extra refraction layers and tidy up interface elements like toolbars and sidebars, offering a refinement instead of a major visual change.

      Speed improvements are central to the update

      Speed is also a pivotal focus of iOS 27. Apple claims app launches can be up to 30% faster, AirDrop transfers can be up to 80% quicker, and Photos will load images much more swiftly after capture. There are system-wide enhancements as well, such as an optimized CPU scheduler and improved memory management for older iPhones. Given Apple has faced criticism for intentionally reducing performance on older iPhones with new software, this appears to be a positive move for older devices.

      While new features are appealing, a phone that launches apps faster and manages basic tasks more smoothly is a noticeable daily improvement. Furthermore, search functionalities are being restructured across the system, including Spotlight, Photos, and Mail. Notably, Mail includes a new ranking system designed to prioritize more relevant results, making it easier to find receipts, boarding passes, or other important documents buried in years of clutter.

      Enhanced shared photo capabilities for Android and Windows users

      iCloud Shared Albums are receiving a much-needed upgrade for mixed-device groups. Android and Windows users