There's less than a month to go before Apple officially unveils iOS 27, the next major software update for the iPhone . The presentation will take place, barring any surprises, during the opening keynote of WWDC 2026 , scheduled for June 8th, and all signs point to a conference focused almost entirely on software and artificial intelligence.
These days, leaks are piling up from Bloomberg, tech media, and sources close to the development of iOS 27. The picture they paint is of a version that combines two ideas: on the one hand, a strong emphasis on stability and performance; on the other, the biggest leap in artificial intelligence and Siri itself that we've seen in over a decade, accompanied by significant changes to apps like Camera, Safari, Weather, and the Liquid Glass design.
Performance and stability: the iOS of “putting the house in order”
For months there has been talk that iOS 27 will follow a strategy similar to that of Snow Leopard on the Mac: fewer flashy features on the surface and more deep work on the system's foundation . The priority would be cleaning up the code, reducing so-called "technical debt," and improving how power is managed on compatible iPhones.
The underlying idea is for users to experience a more responsive system with fewer errors and reduced battery consumption , even on models released several years ago. This focus on AI won't come at the expense of performance, but rather through optimizations in how iOS manages processes and resources.
This approach is especially relevant in Europe and Spain, where the mobile phone replacement cycle tends to be longer than in other markets. An iPhone that performs better with each update, without unduly penalizing older models still very much present in the market , is almost as important as the new, visible features.
Siri reinvents itself: from limited assistant to intelligent agent
The star of iOS 27 will be Siri, practically rebuilt from the ground up . After years of criticism for lagging behind assistants and chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude, Apple is preparing a major shift: Siri will cease to be a simple voice assistant and become an agent capable of understanding context, seeing what's on the screen, and chaining actions across different apps.
In practice, this means you can ask things like, "Send a message to my mother when the timer finishes so she can take the pizza out of the oven ," and the system will know how to wait for the countdown to end, locate the right person, and send the message without any further intervention from you. The philosophy shifts from responding to individual requests to solving complete tasks that integrate several applications.
Part of this leap forward comes thanks to an agreement with Google that allows Apple to use distilled versions of the Gemini model in its own data centers and on the iPhone itself . Apple Intelligence models are built on this foundation, designed to operate in a hybrid fashion: some processing on the device, some in the cloud under a system of enhanced privacy.
In Spain and the rest of Europe, where the GDPR sets very clear limits, Apple is supporting these functions with a revamped version of its Private Cloud Compute infrastructure : the personal data needed to execute the orders is processed on a case-by-case basis and is not stored, so that not even the company itself can review it later.
New interface for Siri: Dynamic Island, chatbot mode, and its own app
Siri's redesign isn't just internal. Visually and in terms of usability, iOS 27 introduces an interface much more in line with the chatbot era , clearly inspired by current AI applications, but integrated into the system.
To begin, when you invoke Siri—either with the keyword or by holding down the side button—the response will now appear on Dynamic Island, with a pill-shaped animation at the top of the screen . From there, you can swipe down to reveal a transparent card and enter a chat-like conversation mode, where you'll see a continuous thread of messages and small cards with information such as the weather, your upcoming appointments, or relevant notes.
iOS 27 also introduces a new gesture: swiping down from the top center of the screen reveals a "Search or Ask" bar integrated into Dynamic Island. In this bar, you can type or dictate queries and choose whether you want Siri or a third-party search engine like ChatGPT or Gemini to respond, providing richer results than the classic Spotlight search.
Another notable new feature is that Siri will finally have its own standalone app within iOS . This app will display your past conversations as cards, and you'll be able to resume a chat, search your history, or start a new one with the "+" button. From this same interface, you'll also be able to upload images and documents for the assistant to analyze—for example, a PDF or a photo of a document—using a text field labeled "Ask Siri."
Behind all this redesign is the idea that Siri should stop being an ephemeral presence that appears and disappears at the bottom of the screen and become a much more permanent control center for tasks and conversations , which you can return to whenever you want, just like you do with a messaging app.
Extensions: iPhone opens up to third-party AI models
One of Apple's most striking moves with iOS 27 is opening the system to artificial intelligence developed by other companies . This new framework, known internally as Extensions, will allow models like Google's Gemini or Anthropic's Claude to be natively integrated into Siri, Writing Tools, and applications like Image Playground.
According to leaks, it works relatively simply: you install a compatible app on your iPhone, activate it as an AI Extension from Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri , and from then on, you can select which AI model you want to handle specific tasks. For example, you could tell Siri to use Claude to write long texts and Gemini to answer general knowledge questions.
The key is that this choice isn't limited to an isolated case, but is applied structurally to the operating system . So, when you use writing tools, generate images, or make a query from the new "Search or Ask" field, iOS will know which model to use based on your preferences.
Apple, however, draws a line: when an AI extension responds on your behalf, the responsibility for the content lies with the provider of that model, not with Apple itself . This is a way to open up the ecosystem without relinquishing some control over what enters the App Store or assuming responsibility for responses generated by third parties.
To ensure users always know who's responding, iOS 27 will use different voices depending on the model being used . Siri will sound one way when using Apple's native AI models, and a different tone when delegating the response to Gemini, Claude, or another provider. This way, you won't have to look at the screen to know which "brain" is handling the request.
The new Siri “sees” the screen and understands the context
Beyond the choice of models, Apple's big bet is on giving Siri context and screen awareness . Thanks to the improvements in Apple Intelligence 2.0, the assistant will be able to interpret what you're seeing on your iPhone and act accordingly without you having to explain everything step by step.
Practical examples: You can say “ Summarize this text in three points and send it to my boss ” while reading a report in your browser, or “Organize this conversation into a to-do list” while using a notes app or Mail. Siri will analyze the content, extract the relevant information, and complete the necessary actions in the background, opening the required applications.
This leap means the assistant will have access to personal data and private content , from emails to documents, but the feature has been designed to prevent data leaks. For the most demanding calculations, Apple will use servers with M5 family chips under the Private Cloud Compute 2.0 infrastructure, where data is processed briefly and discarded after fulfilling its purpose.
Apple's ambition with this change is to transform the iPhone into more than just a device that responds to isolated commands: it wants to turn it into an intermediary capable of coordinating apps, documents, and services according to your natural language requests . In everyday use, the difference will be noticeable in fewer screen taps and more tasks completed from start to finish with a single instruction.
In addition, the company is working on a companion app—internally codenamed “Campo”—that would consolidate interaction history, file management, and advanced workflows with Siri. While its official name may differ at launch, the concept of a centralized space where the assistant functions as a full-fledged chatbot appears repeatedly in several leaks.
Liquid Glass adjusts: more control over transparencies and design
With iOS 26, Apple introduced the Liquid Glass design language , a style based on transparencies, blurs, and glass effects that significantly changed the system's appearance. However, many native apps still retained flatter designs, and the visual transition was not fully completed.
iOS 27 serves to advance in that direction and, at the same time, give the user more control over the intensity of these effects . Among the planned new features is a slider—known as the Liquid Slider—that will allow users to adjust the degree of transparency in icons, buttons, and other interface elements.
Until now, only a few partial adjustments existed, such as the ability to choose between translucent or tinted backgrounds in certain areas of the system, or to modify the opacity of the clock on the lock screen. With the new slider, the idea is to extend that level of customization to the entire system , so you can opt for a more "crystalline" style or a more matte and legible one depending on your preferences or the lighting conditions.
This change will be of particular interest to those who, for accessibility reasons or simply for convenience, prefer an interface with less of a glass effect and more contrast . The company also plans to remove in Xcode 27 the options that allowed developers to avoid Liquid Glass in their applications, making the new design language a mandatory standard for the entire ecosystem.
Along with these adjustments, minor tweaks to shadows, transparencies, and readability are expected , also affecting macOS 27, where some users had criticized the style introduced the previous year for making reading difficult under certain conditions.
The Camera app becomes much more customizable
One of the areas where iOS 27 will bring the most significant changes is the Camera app , which will become virtually modular. Until now, the iPhone's built-in app offered good results, but without the level of manual control that many advanced users were demanding.
With the new version, Apple will let you choose which controls you want to see and where to place them at the top of the interface . You'll be able to include shortcuts to options like flash, exposure, timer, resolution, depth of field, and photo styles, among others.
These controls are organized as widgets that can be added from a transparent "Add widgets" tray that slides up from the bottom . They are grouped into three main categories—basic, manual, and settings—and each capture mode (photo, video, etc.) has its own set of widgets, tailored to the type of shot you're taking.
In this way, those who simply want to point and shoot can continue using the default configuration, very similar to the current one , while those who need more control will have the option of designing an almost tailor-made interface without resorting to third-party applications.
Apple has also moved some key elements, such as the toggle that displays all available controls, which will now be located to the right of the shutter button instead of the top right corner, making it easier to access with your thumb. In addition, new grid and level modes have been added to the app to improve photo composition.
Siri Mode in Camera and new visual intelligence features
The integration of artificial intelligence into the Camera app won't stop at image processing. iOS 27 will add a new "Siri mode" within the app itself , alongside the photo and video options, designed to take advantage of Apple's visual intelligence capabilities.
By activating this mode, simply point the camera at an object, text, or scene and ask Siri for something. The system will then identify what it sees, offer relevant information, or translate text on the fly . From recognizing plants and products to reading signs in another language, everything will be integrated into the same interface without having to open separate apps.
The idea is for the iPhone to go from being a camera that only captures images to a tool that "understands" visual content and allows you to act on it instantly , whether to save notes, search for information on the web, or share data with another app.
This approach fits with Apple's strategy of reinforcing the iPhone as the main device for creating and consuming visual content , something especially relevant in a market like Spain, where mobile photography and short video have a huge impact on social networks and messaging platforms.
With all this, iOS 27 places the Camera app closer to the tools that until now only offered a high level of customization through specialized applications, without sacrificing simplicity for those who just want to open and shoot.
Safari, Weather, and other system apps also change
Beyond Siri and the Camera, iOS 27 will bring a series of design tweaks and new features to several native apps we use daily. These aren't as dramatic changes as the AI improvements, but they can make a real difference in everyday use.
In Safari, Apple's web browser, the home page will be redesigned to include four tabs at the top: Favorites, Bookmarks, Reading List, and History . This new layout will make it easier to jump from one section to another without having to navigate through less visible menus.
The Weather app, meanwhile, will receive a new "Conditions" panel in the main view for each city . From there, users will be able to quickly switch between different types of information, such as temperature, probability of rain, wind, and other data, without having to change screens.
There will also be updates to Image Playground, the app designed to generate images using AI . The interface will be simplified with a grid of previous creations featuring more rounded edges and a "+" button as the entry point for new images. In addition, a "describe a change" option will be added, allowing users to edit an existing image without having to start from scratch.
Meanwhile, Apple is adjusting the tab bars at the bottom of apps like Music, Podcasts, TV, Health, and News . The search button will no longer be isolated on the right and will be integrated back in with the other tabs, following the trend already implemented in the App Store with iOS 26.4.
Finally, the on-screen keyboard will debut a new AI-powered keyboard and a new animation where the keys "rise" from the bottom of the panel when you activate it, and the home screen will add undo and redo controls to rearrange icons and widgets more easily, which is very useful if you frequently change the layout of your screens.
A complete ecosystem: iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS and more
iOS 27 won't arrive alone. WWDC 2026 will also serve to unveil macOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, and new versions of tvOS and visionOS , all with varying degrees of integration of artificial intelligence and the new design approach.
In the case of the Mac, the new version will be the first to no longer be compatible with Intel processors . From now on, it can only be installed on computers with Apple Silicon chips, completing a transition that began in 2020. Improvements in performance and stability are expected, along with changes to transparencies and shadows to improve readability.
iPadOS 27, meanwhile, will further develop the windowing and multitasking experience introduced the previous year, making the iPad feel even more like a computer while maintaining its unique characteristics. The same Siri and Apple Intelligence features found on the iPhone will come to the iPad, with a particular focus on productivity and content creation.
In watchOS 27, leaks are more discreet, although there is talk of at least a new watch face and minor interface tweaks . tvOS and visionOS will follow a similar path: updates focused on refining the experience, without major headlines compared to iOS 27.
All of this aligns with the idea that the June 8th keynote will be an event focused almost entirely on software . No major hardware announcements are expected—the AirPods Max 2 and the latest professional displays are already on the market, and models like the Mac mini and Mac Studio don't seem ready for an immediate replacement—so the spotlight will be entirely on operating systems and, in particular, on Apple's new phase with AI.
Furthermore, it will be a special event for another reason: it's widely assumed that this will be Tim Cook's last WWDC keynote as CEO , before he hands the reins to John Ternus in September. Although the conference presentations are pre-recorded, the atmosphere at Apple Park will be marked by this transition, something that will likely be reflected in a nod or message to the current CEO.
With all the leaks that have surfaced, iOS 27 is shaping up to be an update that aims to balance three fronts: polishing performance, completing the aesthetic shift begun with Liquid Glass, and, above all, putting Siri and artificial intelligence at the heart of the iPhone experience . If these plans come to fruition, users in Spain and Europe will find themselves this fall with a more stable, more customizable system, much better equipped to understand what they want to do, whether with Apple's standard model, Gemini, Claude, or any other device they prefer to integrate through Extensions.
