Apple's next major iPhone software update is due this fall. The centrepiece of the iOS 27 update is Siri AI: a new Apple Intelligence-powered version of Siri designed for more natural conversations, personal context and more complex requests. But Siri's just the headline. iOS 27 also brings a smarter Safari, useful AI photo tools, a visual refresh, and performance improvements designed to benefit supported iPhones, including older models. Here's what's new in iOS 27, broken down clearly. Below, we break down the biggest iOS 27 new features and what they mean for everyday iPhone use.
iOS 27 is coming this fall for iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and later models. The headline feature is Siri AI — an entirely new version of Siri built around Apple Intelligence, with more natural back-and-forth conversations and the ability to take action across your apps. It also brings Liquid Glass design refinements, AI photo editing, smarter Safari, improved Image Playground, and measurably faster performance. Apple Intelligence features, including Siri AI, require a compatible newer iPhone — see the compatibility section below for details. When you're ready to upgrade, browse the full iPhone range at HandySwap, or find out how to trade in your current device.
The New Siri (Siri AI) — Apple's Biggest Change in Years
If you've ever asked Siri something and immediately regretted it — you're not alone. Previous versions of Siri were best suited to short, direct requests. With iOS 27, Apple is expanding Siri with new Apple Intelligence capabilities. The new version is called Siri AI, and Apple describes it as an entirely new version of Siri built around Apple Intelligence. It is designed for more natural back-and-forth conversations rather than short, one-off commands.
What makes this feel different from previous Siri upgrades is the personal context. On supported devices, Siri AI can use relevant personal context from supported apps — such as Mail, Messages, Calendar and Notes — to help with requests without requiring every detail to be repeated. Ask it to draft a reply that sounds like you, pull up a contact from a message thread, or find that file buried somewhere in your notes. It's designed to handle that kind of request.
Siri AI is designed to work across iOS 27 rather than only responding to isolated voice commands — you can use it to create a calendar event from a photo of a flyer, help surface password-security actions when a saved password may need attention, or ask it to write something in your usual tone. Apple says Siri AI is designed to help with multi-step requests across supported apps.
Siri AI needs a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled device and is expected to start rolling out in English later this year, with more languages to follow. Availability may vary by region and language.
Liquid Glass Design — iOS Gets a Visual Upgrade
Liquid Glass wasn't new to iOS 27 — Apple introduced it with iOS 26. In iOS 27, Apple refines the look with more control over how the effect appears. The addition people will notice most is a new Liquid Glass slider in Settings that lets you control how intense the frosted glass effect looks on your screen, anywhere from barely-there to fully tinted. If last year's glass styling felt too heavy to read comfortably, this is the fix.
App icons are getting a visual bump too — sharper, with more detail in how they catch light. The whole point of this year's design work is better contrast and legibility without ditching the look that made iOS 26 feel fresh. It's refinement, not reinvention.
Photos AI Editing — Spatial Reframing & Clean Up
iOS 27 brings some genuinely useful AI tools to the Photos app. The standout is Spatial Reframing — a tool that lets you adjust the viewpoint, angle, zoom, and composition of a compatible photo after you've already taken it. If the framing wasn't quite right when you shot it, you get another chance. That kind of fix used to need a desktop editor; now it's built right in.
Apple has also improved the Clean Up tool for removing unwanted objects, and there's a new Extend tool that expands an image beyond its original frame — handy for getting a portrait to fill a Lock Screen without leaving dead space around it. Photo search is getting smarter too, with improved keyword tagging across large libraries. Keep in mind: some of these AI-powered editing tools need a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone to run.
Safari Upgrades — Smarter Browsing
Safari is getting a feature that sounds simple but is quietly very useful. iOS 27 adds automatic tab grouping by topic — so if your browser looks like a 40-tab disaster right now, Safari can sort them into groups like Work, Shopping, or Travel on its own, without you lifting a finger. Anyone who lives in their browser will notice this immediately.
There's also a new Notify Me feature that lets Safari watch a specific page for changes and alert you when something shifts — great for tracking a restock or waiting on a price drop. And iOS 27 adds automation tools that let you describe what you want an action to do in plain language, so you can set up shortcuts without writing a single line of code.
Image Playground — More Detailed AI Images
Image Playground has been around since iOS 18, and iOS 27 brings it more capable image-generation tools. You can use text prompts to create images and explore new creative options across supported apps. Results work as wallpapers, in messages, or wherever you want to use them creatively.
Apple says some image-generation features may have daily usage limits. Check Apple's current availability information for the latest access details.
Performance & Parental Controls
One of the less talked-about but important parts of iOS 27 is its focus on everyday performance across supported iPhones. In Apple's own testing, iOS 27 can deliver up to 30% faster app launches, up to 70% faster loading of new photos in Photos, and up to 80% faster AirDrop transfers. Those are Apple's numbers, and actual results will vary by iPhone model, settings, content and conditions — but they're meaningful, especially on a device that's a few years old.
Apple also says iOS 27 includes broader system optimisations meant to make the whole experience feel more responsive in general use — not just in the numbers.
On parental controls, iOS 27 redesigns Screen Time into something that's actually easy to navigate at a glance. New tools include Ask to Browse — kids have to request parental permission before accessing new websites — and Time Allowances across categories like Games, Entertainment, and Social Media, built with input from clinical and child development experts. Communication Safety has also expanded to cover gore and violent imagery, not just nudity.
Which iPhones Support iOS 27?
Apple lists iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and later models as compatible with iOS 27. That said, not every feature runs on every device:
Core iOS 27 features will be available across supported models, but Apple Intelligence features require newer eligible hardware.
- All supported iPhones — iPhone 11 and newer — will get the performance improvements, Liquid Glass design refinements, Safari upgrades, and the new parental controls.
- Apple Intelligence features, including Siri AI and advanced AI photo tools, require an eligible newer iPhone, including iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 models, and later eligible models.
For the full picture of which model supports which feature, our companion compatibility guide breaks it all down. If you're thinking about upgrading for Apple Intelligence, eligible models include iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 models, and later eligible models.
Should You Upgrade to iOS 27?
For most iPhone users, this one looks worth taking. The performance improvements alone are a good reason — Apple says app launches and Photos loading can be faster on supported devices, though your experience will vary by iPhone model, settings and everyday use. If you rely on specific work apps or just prefer to let others find the bugs first, waiting a few weeks for early post-release fixes is a reasonable call.
- Update when it's available if: you have any supported iPhone and want the performance boost, or you're on an iPhone 15 Pro or a compatible newer model and want access to Siri AI and Apple Intelligence.
- Consider waiting briefly if: you rely on specific apps or workflows and prefer to let early post-release fixes smooth out any bugs — typically a few weeks after launch.
Ready to get more from iOS 27? Browse HandySwap's range of compatible iPhones. If you are upgrading, you can trade in your current device as part of a new-device purchase — receive a condition-based estimate and get paid after HandySwap inspects the device.
Want to know exactly which iPhone models support which iOS 27 features? Our next guide covers it in full: iOS 27 Compatibility: Every Feature, Every iPhone — Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest new features in iOS 27?
Siri AI leads the way — it's an entirely new version of Apple's assistant built around Apple Intelligence, designed for more natural conversations and personal context. Beyond that: Liquid Glass refinements with a new intensity slider in Settings, new AI photo tools including Spatial Reframing and an improved Clean Up, smarter Safari with automatic tab grouping and the Notify Me feature, improved Image Playground, and performance improvements across supported iPhones. In Apple's own testing, that includes up to 30% faster app launches. Actual results may vary.
When is iOS 27 coming out?
Apple previewed iOS 27 at WWDC on 8 June 2026, with developer and public betas running through the summer. The public release is expected this fall alongside Apple's next iPhone launch — though Apple hasn't confirmed an exact date. Siri AI is expected to start rolling out in English later this year, with availability varying by region and language.
Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 27?
Apple lists iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and later models as compatible. That said, Apple Intelligence features — including Siri AI and AI photo editing — need an eligible newer model: iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 models, and later eligible models. A standard iPhone 15 or older gets the core iOS 27 update and speed improvements, but not Apple Intelligence. Our companion compatibility guide has the full model-by-model breakdown.
Is Siri AI available in Europe?
Siri AI is expected to begin rolling out in English later this year. However, if you're in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium or Austria, there's an important EU-specific situation to know about — see our full guide: iOS 27 Siri AI in Europe — What EU Users Need to Know. Standard Siri will remain available on supported iPhones.
Is iOS 27 worth updating to on an older iPhone?
Honestly, yes. Even on an iPhone 11, 12, or 13, iOS 27 is designed to make things feel faster — Apple says app launches can be up to 30% quicker and Photos can load more quickly, though actual results will vary by model, settings and use. You won't get Siri AI or Apple Intelligence on older devices, but the update is expected to bring useful performance improvements, even without Apple Intelligence.
Does iOS 27 have a daily limit on AI image generation?
Apple says some image-generation features may have daily usage limits. Check Apple's current availability information for the latest access details.
How is Siri AI different from the old Siri?
The old Siri was best suited to short, direct commands — it handled simple requests well but struggled with anything requiring context or multiple steps. Apple says Siri AI is designed for more natural conversations, personal context, and multi-step actions across supported apps.