Apple announced iOS 27 during the WWDC26 keynote, held on June 8. The new operating system brings significant performance improvements, refinements to the Liquid Glass design and advances in Apple Intelligence, with emphasis on the redesigned Siri AI.
The system gains noticeable speed in everyday tasks. Application launch is 30% faster, photo library loading is 70% faster and AirDrop is up to 80% faster. These optimizations benefit even older iPhone models thanks to improved CPU scheduler.
Users also notice reductions in everyday frustrations, such as more efficient automatic switching between cellular and Wi-Fi networks and the display of progress bars on photos sent in messages. It is also possible to customize the sound of the AirPods and improve the visual quality of FlyOver mode on Maps.
Liquid Glass, introduced in iOS 26, now allows user adjustment of transparency. A slider varies between Ultra Clear and Tinted Glass. App icons also adopt a transparent design for greater visual consistency.
Apple Intelligence and new Siri AI
Apple emphasized the evolution of Apple Intelligence, which gains a new platform based on models from Google’s Gemini family. Processing takes place with strong protection of user privacy.
The Siri assistant has been redesigned and is now called Siri AI. A dedicated application appears that allows you to review conversations and switch tasks between iPhone and Mac via iCloud. Swipe activation on the Dynamic Island expands the command possibilities.
Users can customize the assistant’s rhythm and voice. Features include visual intelligence to analyze on-screen content and text writing with tone adjustment depending on the recipient. Initially available in English, with planned expansion to other languages, such as Japanese.
Safari, photos and shortcuts
Safari automatically organizes tabs by content with the help of AI and sends page update notifications even when tabs are closed. The password manager identifies and suggests upgrading weak credentials to more secure options.
In Photos, the cleaning tool removes unwanted objects with greater precision. Spatial Reframing allows you to change the composition of images already taken, with the AI automatically filling in missing backgrounds. Shared albums now accept participants on Windows or Android.
Shortcuts become simpler to create from natural language commands. Example: “When I leave work, text my family with my estimated arrival time.”
Child protection and availability
Parents gain more granular controls over apps, screen time by category, contacts, and content viewed by their children. Apple will launch a centralized website with guidance for informed decisions.
The iOS 27 developer beta has been available since its announcement. The public beta arrives in July. The final release for the general public is scheduled for autumn in the northern hemisphere, equivalent to spring in Brazil. Some AI features, including the new Siri, may arrive in a later beta.
iOS 27 maintains compatibility with the same devices as iOS 26: iPhone 11 and later models. It’s the most extensive list Apple has ever offered in an update. Advanced Apple Intelligence features require iPhone 15 Pro or later and have limits that increase with an iCloud+ subscription.
