Apple has officially announced iOS 27 at WWDC 2026 — and it is shaping up to be the biggest iPhone software update in years. After two years of playing catch-up in the AI race, Apple is finally ready to deliver the intelligent, capable iPhone experience it promised back in 2024.
iOS 27 brings a completely rebuilt Siri powered by Google Gemini, sweeping AI upgrades to the Camera and Photos apps, 5G satellite internet connectivity, a customisable Siri Extensions system, hidden foldable iPhone support and much more — all arriving on your iPhone in September 2026.
Here is every confirmed and rumoured feature in iOS 27, which iPhones will support it, and exactly when you can download it.
Contents
- 1 What Is iOS 27?
- 2 iOS 27 Release Date
- 3 Which iPhones Are Compatible With iOS 27?
- 4 iOS 27 New Features — Everything Confirmed and Rumoured
- 4.1 1. The New Siri — Powered by Google Gemini
- 4.2 2. AI Camera — Fully Customisable and Smarter Than Ever
- 4.3 3. AI Photo Editing in the Photos App
- 4.4 4. 5G Satellite Internet Connectivity
- 4.5 5. iPhone Fold Support — New Multitasking Features
- 4.6 6. AI-Powered Safari — Smart Tab Grouping
- 4.7 7. Smarter iPhone Keyboard
- 4.8 8. Wallet App — Create Your Own Passes
- 4.9 9. Shortcuts App Upgrade
- 4.10 10. Accessibility Improvements
- 4.11 11. Liquid Glass — Refined and Fixed
- 4.12 12. Performance and Stability First
- 5 What iOS 27 Means for Screenshots on iPhone
- 6 iOS 27 vs iOS 26 — What Changed?
- 7 Should You Update to iOS 27?
What Is iOS 27?
iOS 27 is Apple’s next major iPhone operating system, announced at WWDC 2026 on June 8 and set to release publicly in September 2026. It follows iOS 26 — which introduced the Liquid Glass design language but was criticised for crashes and battery issues — and is being positioned as a major stability and intelligence upgrade.
Macworld reports iOS 27 will prioritise performance improvements and stability fixes following iOS 26’s troubled release with crashes and battery issues. At the same time, multiple reports indicate the update could transform how users interact with their iPhones on a daily basis — primarily through a completely rebuilt Siri that can finally hold real conversations, understand context and take actions across apps.
iOS 27 Release Date
Here is the full timeline:
- June 8, 2026 — iOS 27 officially announced at WWDC 2026 keynote
- June 8, 2026 — Developer Beta 1 released immediately after the keynote
- July 2026 — Public Beta available to download for free
- September 2026 — Official release to all compatible iPhones (expected around September 15, alongside iPhone 18)
Apple has followed the same June announcement / September release pattern for several years. iOS 27 will arrive alongside the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the rumoured iPhone Fold — all expected in September 2026.
Which iPhones Are Compatible With iOS 27?
iOS 27 is expected to support iPhone 12 and newer models, though this has not been officially confirmed. Based on current reports, here is the expected compatibility list:
Compatible with iOS 27:
- iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 17 series (all models)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation and later)
- iPhone 18 series (launching September 2026)
- iPhone Fold (launching September 2026)
Likely not compatible with iOS 27:
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020)
- iPhone XS, XS Max, XR
- iPhone X and earlier
Note: Not all iOS 27 features will be available on all compatible iPhones. Advanced Apple Intelligence and AI features will require an iPhone 15 Pro or later due to hardware requirements.
iOS 27 New Features — Everything Confirmed and Rumoured
1. The New Siri — Powered by Google Gemini
This is the feature that defines iOS 27. Apple is completely rebuilding Siri from the ground up — transforming it from a basic voice command tool into a genuine AI assistant that can hold conversations, remember context and take real actions on your behalf.
What is new with Siri in iOS 27:
Apple reportedly plans to debut an all-new, dedicated Siri app with a so-called “Extensions” feature. With the Siri app, iPhone users will be able to interact with Apple’s assistant in both text and voice modes. The app will also provide users with access to their past conversations with Siri.
- Google Gemini integration — Apple is paying Google $1 billion annually to use a custom 1.2 trillion parameter Gemini model to power the new Siri
- Conversation history — Siri now remembers what you said earlier in a session, like ChatGPT
- Personal context — Siri is expected to use on-device data from Mail, Messages and web history, allowing it to provide answers specific to the user — for example, asking about your mother’s flight and having Siri check your emails automatically
- Dynamic Island integration — Siri receives a redesigned interface integrated into the Dynamic Island, making it more accessible with a simple swipe
- Siri Extensions — a new system that lets you access Claude, Gemini and ChatGPT directly through Siri without switching apps
- Agentic AI — if Siri gains agentic AI features, it will be able to complete tasks on your behalf — booking, searching, composing and sending — all without you lifting a finger
- Choose your AI model — Apple is reportedly planning to allow chatbots like Claude and Gemini to power system-wide features in iOS 27
This is the Siri Apple promised in 2024 but could not deliver. iOS 27 is where it finally arrives.
2. AI Camera — Fully Customisable and Smarter Than Ever
Apple is planning sweeping AI-driven upgrades to its Camera and Photos apps in iOS 27. This is one of the most significant Camera upgrades in iPhone history.
New Camera features in iOS 27:
- Build your own Camera app — iOS 27 will let users build their own custom Camera app experience — choosing which controls, modes and features appear in the viewfinder
- Food nutrition scanner — Apple may add a food nutrition label scanner so you can point your camera at any food label and get instant nutritional information
- Business card scanner — The ability to scan a business card with the camera and automatically add the contact details to your address book
- AI Vision Recognition — iOS 27 is expected to introduce AI vision features that allow devices to recognise users and their activities while maintaining privacy
- Enhanced Visual Intelligence — Apple is expected to lean more heavily into Visual Intelligence in iOS 27 — point your camera at anything and get instant AI-powered information about it
3. AI Photo Editing in the Photos App
The Photos app is getting a major Apple Intelligence upgrade in iOS 27. Expect more powerful and precise AI-driven editing tools including:
- Improved AI object removal — cleaner results when erasing people, objects or backgrounds
- Smarter photo enhancement — context-aware adjustments that understand what is in the photo
- AI-generated wallpapers powered by the Image Playground app — allowing you to generate custom iPhone wallpapers from a text description, similar to features already available on Samsung and Google phones
4. 5G Satellite Internet Connectivity
iOS 27 will reportedly support 5G satellite internet connectivity, although this functionality might be limited to the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Ultra models with Apple’s next-generation C2 modem.
With satellite connectivity, it will reportedly be possible to use a satellite connection to navigate Apple Maps and send photos via Messages — even in areas with zero cellular coverage. This is a leap beyond the existing Emergency SOS via satellite feature and marks the beginning of iPhone as a truly always-connected device regardless of location.
5. iPhone Fold Support — New Multitasking Features
One aspect of iOS 27 will be optimising the software platform for Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which is set to launch in September 2026. The foldable iPhone is set to have an approximately 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display.
Bloomberg says Apple will prioritise software features tailored specifically to this new form factor. Apple is planning to add new windowing features to iOS 27 for the iPhone Fold. The device will allegedly allow you to run two apps side by side — something not currently possible on any iPhone.
iOS 27 will include improved multitasking and potentially features like Samsung’s Flex mode to take advantage of the foldable form factor. Even if you are not buying the iPhone Fold, these multitasking improvements may extend to all compatible iPhones.
6. AI-Powered Safari — Smart Tab Grouping
Safari is getting one of its most useful upgrades in years. In test versions of iOS 27, the centre-top button that users can tap to move between their tab groups has a new option called “Organise Tabs.” You can choose whether you want the grouping to occur automatically or not.
If you regularly have dozens of tabs open across different topics — work, shopping, research, reading — Safari will now use Apple Intelligence to automatically sort them into clean, contextual groups without you doing anything manually.
7. Smarter iPhone Keyboard
iOS 27 is expected to bring meaningful upgrades to the iPhone keyboard, including smarter autocorrect, better predictive text powered by Apple Intelligence and improved multilingual typing. A smarter keyboard is among the confirmed focus areas for iOS 27.
8. Wallet App — Create Your Own Passes
A new “Create a Pass” feature is coming to the Wallet app in iOS 27 — allowing users to create their own custom passes for loyalty cards, event tickets, membership cards and more, directly within the Wallet app without needing to rely on a third-party developer to add support.
9. Shortcuts App Upgrade
Apple may also be planning an upgrade to the Shortcuts app that would allow you to create shortcuts just by describing your idea in plain language. Instead of manually building a multi-step shortcut, you simply tell Siri what you want it to do and it builds the shortcut for you automatically.
10. Accessibility Improvements
iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 will include more accessibility features, including improvements to VoiceOver and Magnifier, natural language Voice Control, more subtitles for video and other enhancements aimed at making iPhone more accessible for everyone.
11. Liquid Glass — Refined and Fixed
iOS 26 introduced the Liquid Glass design language — a bold, transparent, glassy aesthetic that looked stunning but caused real readability and usability problems for many users. iOS 27 brings a refined version of Liquid Glass that addresses the key complaints — shadow issues, transparency quirks and areas where text was difficult to read — without removing the design entirely.
12. Performance and Stability First
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that iOS 27 will be all about fixing bugs as the company lays the groundwork for the upcoming iPhone Fold and other products. iOS 26 was widely criticised for battery drain and unexpected crashes — iOS 27 directly addresses both. Expect faster app launch times, better battery life and a more stable everyday experience across all compatible iPhones.
What iOS 27 Means for Screenshots on iPhone
The core iPhone screenshot shortcuts are not changing in iOS 27:
- Side button + Volume Up — full screen screenshot on Face ID iPhones
- Home button + Side/Top button — full screen screenshot on Touch ID iPhones
However, the new Siri opens up a completely new way to take screenshots. In iOS 27, you can say “Hey Siri, take a screenshot” and have it saved automatically to your Photos without pressing any buttons at all.
The foldable iPhone also introduces an interesting question — with a 7.8-inch inner display, screenshotting a foldable app layout will work differently from a standard iPhone. Apple is expected to handle this automatically, saving the full unfolded view as a screenshot.
Want to know all the current ways to screenshot on iPhone? Read our full guide: How to Screenshot on iPhone
iOS 27 vs iOS 26 — What Changed?
| Feature | iOS 26 | iOS 27 |
|---|---|---|
| Siri | Basic Apple Intelligence | Gemini-powered conversational AI |
| Design | Liquid Glass introduced | Liquid Glass refined and fixed |
| Camera | Standard AI features | Customisable Camera, AI Vision, food scanner |
| Satellite | Emergency SOS only | 5G satellite internet (Pro models) |
| Multitasking | Standard iPhone layout | Side-by-side apps (Fold), new windowing |
| Safari | Manual tab groups | AI automatic tab grouping |
| Stability | Crashes and battery issues | Stability-first approach |
| Foldable support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes — iPhone Fold optimised |
| Wallpaper generation | ❌ No | ✅ Yes — AI generated |
Should You Update to iOS 27?
Yes — For Almost Everyone
The Siri upgrade alone makes iOS 27 worth installing. Combined with AI Camera improvements, better battery life, stability fixes and a smarter Safari, this is a substantial upgrade from iOS 26 for everyday iPhone users.
Wait If You Are on iOS 26 Beta
The final public beta of iOS 27 arrives in July — test the beta first before committing on your main device, especially given iOS 26’s rocky launch.
Check Your iPhone Model First
Not all iOS 27 features work on every iPhone. Advanced Apple Intelligence requires iPhone 15 Pro or later — check your model in Settings → General → About before updating.
Consider Upgrading Your iPhone
Advanced Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27 require an iPhone 15 Pro or later. If you are on an older model, now is a strong time to plan an upgrade to take full advantage of everything iOS 27 offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
iOS 27 is Apple’s next major iPhone operating system, announced at WWDC 2026 and set for release in September 2026. Its headline features include a new Gemini-powered Siri, AI Camera upgrades, 5G satellite internet, foldable iPhone support and major stability improvements.
iOS 27 is expected to release in September 2026 — likely around September 15, alongside the iPhone 18 lineup and iPhone Fold.
iOS 27 is expected to support iPhone 12 and newer. iPhone 11, iPhone SE 2020 and older models are expected to lose support. Not all features will be available on all supported devices — advanced AI features require iPhone 15 Pro or later.
The biggest feature is the completely rebuilt Siri powered by Google Gemini — transforming it into a conversational AI assistant that can remember context, read your emails and messages, and take actions across apps on your behalf.
Yes. One of Apple’s primary goals with iOS 27 is fixing the battery drain issues introduced in iOS 26. Stability and performance improvements are a core focus of this update.
Yes. iOS 27 includes software optimisations specifically for the iPhone Fold — including side-by-side app multitasking and new windowing features designed for the 7.8-inch foldable display.
The core screenshot button shortcuts remain the same. However, the new Siri in iOS 27 lets you take screenshots using just your voice — say “Hey Siri, take a screenshot” and it saves automatically.
Yes. iOS 27 is a free update for all compatible iPhones, available from Settings → General → Software Update when it releases in September 2026.
Also Read:
How to Screenshot on iPhone — Full Guide
macOS 27: Everything You Need to Know
Arslan Jaffar is a mobile tech writer and the founder of Screenshot Geek, a resource covering 500+ Android and iOS devices. He writes step-by-step screenshot guides, troubleshooting fixes, tips and tricks, top device lists, and the latest news in the smartphone world. With a focus on making technology simple and accessible, Arslan helps thousands of users get the most out of their phones — from finding the right button combo to mastering hidden features most people don’t know exist.