Apple officially released iOS 27, which is a major software update for iPhone in recent years. The system continues the Liquid Glass design, enhances Siri AI capabilities, makes multiple adjustments to system apps such as Photos and Messages, adds AI features, parental controls, and optimizes performance.
Siri Redesigned: Can Read the Screen, Operate Apps, and Hardware Requirements Have Increased
iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 series and newer models, as well as the second-generation iPhone SE. Some Apple Intelligence features have higher hardware requirements: the new Siri AI requires iPhone 15 Pro or newer models, and some features require iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone Air, and are also subject to language and region restrictions.
After the redesign, Siri can use the Apple Intelligence model to access information on the device and perform actions. It can also search online, understand screen content, and operate within supported apps.
The system interface has also become more customizable: Liquid Glass now includes transparency adjustment, menu and navigation bar contrast adjustments; the lock screen supports photo-generated fill expansion, Image Playground-generated lock screen wallpapers, and a new small-sized clock layout; the home screen supports larger widgets.
System Apps Receive Major Upgrades, Older Models See Significant Speed Improvements
The Photos app now includes AI features like Clean Up, Extend, and Reframe, and also supports saving a single frame from a video as a photo, adding keywords, and rating. Safari now includes theme organization, Resume Browsing, and Notify Me features; multiple system apps such as Apple Music and Weather have also been updated — the Password app can automatically update risky passwords, Calendar and Reminders support natural language creation, Phone adds Call Context functionality, FaceTime call quality improves, and AirPods and CarPlay also include new features.
