Apple used the WWDC 2026 stage to show the world what will power its phones next year. After a previous version that focused almost exclusively on aesthetics, this time the Cupertino company has decided to look inside the device to offer a much more robust and reliable experience than in previous years.
The atmosphere following the presentation is one of cautious optimism, especially since it has been confirmed that older devices will be able to receive updates, although it's not all smooth sailing. The widespread integration of artificial intelligence promises to change how we interact with the screen , but users in Spain and the rest of Europe are going to encounter some obstacles due to current privacy regulations.
Availability and models that can be updated
As is customary, the roadmap is firmly marked on the company's calendar. Starting today, users who can't wait have access to the developer version, while the public beta will arrive in July for those who are more cautious. The stable version is expected in mid-September , coinciding, as tradition dictates, with the arrival of the new iPhone 18 family in stores.
As for who will be able to enjoy these improvements, there's great news for those who have been using their phones for years. Against all odds, Apple has decided not to leave anyone behind this year, maintaining support for the iconic iPhone 11 and the second-generation SE . This means that devices seven years old will continue to receive updates, which is a significant boost to the longevity of its products.
A performance reminiscent of the best of times
Internally, this update has been compared to previous versions that focused solely on fixing bugs and improving speed. The official figures are quite impressive: the iPhone will literally fly when opening apps, with a 30% speed improvement, while everyday tasks like using AirDrop will be up to 80% faster—a welcome change when you're in a hurry.
It's not just about brute force, but about intelligent processor allocation. A new resource manager has been implemented that prioritizes the currently open application over processes lingering in the background. This not only helps everything run smoothly, but also promises to eliminate those annoying battery drain issues that tend to appear over time.
The search function has also undergone a complete overhaul. The code has been rewritten to make Spotlight search instantaneous , indexing photos, emails, and files much more efficiently. In fact, finding that lost document among thousands of folders can now be up to five times faster than in the previous version.
Siri AI: the brain that comes with a but
The main attraction is undoubtedly the complete overhaul of the virtual assistant. Thanks to a landmark agreement with Google, the new Siri is transformed with artificial intelligence in iOS 27 , becoming an assistant capable of understanding what appears on the screen and acting accordingly. It no longer just sets alarms; now it can read an email about a trip, search for the hotel on maps, and add the reservation to the calendar without us lifting a finger.
However, this is where the cold water hits us. Apple has confirmed that, due to the Digital Millennium Regulation, this version of Siri AI will not initially be available in Europe on the iPhone. It's a rather strange situation, since it will be available on Macs and virtual reality headsets, but iPhone users in Spain will have to wait until the regulatory hurdles with the European Union are resolved.
For those who can enjoy it, Siri is even launching its own AI-powered app in iOS 27 and a dedicated camera mode. The idea is that we can ask about any physical object we're looking at, from the nutritional value of an apple to how to split a restaurant bill simply by pointing at the receipt. It's a tool that promises to be the second pair of eyes we all sometimes need.
Photographic creativity and custom design
The Photos app is getting tools that seem straight out of a science fiction movie. With the Spatial Reframing feature, Apple is preparing a revolution in AI-powered photo editing in iOS 27, allowing users to change the perspective of a photo they've already taken, shifting the angle as if they'd stepped to the side at the moment of capture. Object removal has also been improved to prevent unwanted traces when erasing someone from an image.
On the other hand, Image Playground now allows you to generate images with a much more realistic style. You can create wallpapers or contact posters simply by describing what you want to see , and the iPhone will generate the image locally to protect your privacy. However, all these creations will carry an invisible watermark so it's clear they were created by a machine.
In terms of aesthetics, the Liquid Glass interface has become more flexible. User feedback regarding its lack of legibility has been heard, and a slider has been added to adjust the glass opacity to the user's preference. Furthermore, the icons have gained depth and sharpness, giving the interface a slightly more modern feel without straying from last year's design.
More control for parents and improvements in daily life
The safety of young children was another key focus of the presentation. Much more robust children's accounts have been introduced, allowing guardians to manage screen time by app category instead of one by one. This makes it easier, for example, for a child to use educational apps without limits but have their social media time automatically restricted.
There are also small but very useful details for everyday use. Safari can now monitor websites for us and notify us if a product becomes available again or if its price drops. Password management, meanwhile, is now automated, allowing us to log into a website and change a compromised password with just the click of a button, saving us the often tedious manual process.
Even the accessories get their share of love, as AirPods gain a fully customizable equalizer with a guide that adapts the sound to our ears. Ultimately, this update represents a thorough system overhaul that prioritizes usability and raw power over visual spectacle, making it clear that the iPhone still has plenty of room to surprise us despite the legislative hurdles in our region.
