Apple has lifted the curtain on iOS 27, the next major software update for the iPhone, and it brings one of the most substantial collections of new features in recent years. From smarter Apple Intelligence capabilities and a more capable Siri to enhanced parental controls and meaningful upgrades across everyday apps, iOS 27 aims to make the iPhone more helpful, personalised and secure. The update will be available later this year and will support every iPhone model from the iPhone 11 onwards, though some advanced AI-powered features will remain exclusive to newer devices.
The first developer beta is already available, with a public beta scheduled for July ahead of a wider rollout in the autumn. As Apple begins testing the software over the coming months, the company has confirmed a long list of additions and refinements that will shape the iPhone experience in 2026. Here are the top features coming to iOS 27 and why they matter.
Fluidity slider
Ever since the Liquid Glass display launched with iOS 26, reactions have been mixed. While many embraced the aesthetic, a vocal contingent wasn’t entirely sold on the opacity game. Apple has found a clever path to keep everyone happy: a slider. This new control lets you tweak the degree of the glassy effect in areas like tabs and menus, adjusting it from ultra-clear to fully tinted. Furthermore, the design element now does a much better job of diffusing the content behind the effect, taking the readability quotient a few notches higher.
A speedy companion
Trust Apple to get under the hood and make subtle changes to the software that yield massive improvements in responsiveness and reliability. For instance, iPhone and iPad apps will now launch up to 30 per cent faster, photos will load up to 70 per cent faster after being taken, and AirDrop transfers are up to 80 per cent speedier.
Network transitions are also more seamless than ever when moving between cellular and Wi-Fi networks. Meanwhile, browsing and transferring files between external drives and an iPad is up to five times faster—making the experience just as snappy as using Finder on a Mac. To top it off, the search experience across Spotlight, Photos and Mail has been completely rebuilt to be more stable and efficient, helping users find exactly what they are looking for.
Apple also confirmed that every iPhone capable of running iOS 26 will support iOS 27, including the iPhone 11 and the second-generation iPhone SE. CPU scheduler improvements originally introduced on newer iPhones have been backported to older models, which Apple says should make the software feel noticeably faster on legacy devices.
Photo editing tricks
One of the most frequent complaints from long-term iPhone users involves the Clean Up feature. Happily, it is getting a major upgrade to help you remove distractions from photos—like that perfect family holiday snapshot that was photobombed by a hairy chap lounging on a beach chair. Powered by smarter AI models, Clean Up can now handle object removal in much more complex scenes.
There is also a new Extend tool that lets you expand your photo using generative AI to realistically fill in the details, much like Photoshop. For perspective adjustments, a fancy new tool called Spatial Reframing uses on-device spatial models to help you recompose your shots.
Crucially, Apple made its respect for traditional photography clear. The goal is to use AI to enhance pictures in ways that respect the original moment. In other words, do not expect the moon to appear in your photographs as if you are standing two feet away from it—we all know which rival smartphone camera we are talking about!
Rounding out the Photos updates, the app now supports participation in iCloud Shared Albums from Android and Windows devices, making cross-platform collaboration a breeze.
Decoding Screen Time
Screen Time is a powerful built-in parental control tool on the iPhone, and it is gaining a fresh set of features with iOS 27. While parents can already set time limits on apps, the redesign offers suggested time allowances tailored to specific app categories—including Entertainment, Games and Social Media—based on expert recommendations.
In Safari, a new Ask to Browse feature requires children to get parental permission before exploring a new website. It certainly seems that Apple has been keeping a close eye on EU and UK regulators with these latest Screen Time boosts.
Shortcuts get an intelligent update
The Shortcuts app has a fiercely loyal following, but it may finally have the ingredients for mass adoption. Thanks to an Apple Intelligence upgrade, you can now describe the shortcut you want using natural language.
During the presentation, Apple demonstrated a brilliant example: a user could simply ask to design a shortcut that automatically notifies their partner when they leave work, providing an expected ETA. The system then builds an automation that triggers once the user leaves a stored address, calculates their journey time using Apple Maps, and fires off a text via Messages.
A stronger Image Playground
The AI image-generation app, Image Playground, was always full of potential, but it was due an update. It can now generate realistic images directly from text prompts, alongside its existing Animation, Illustration and Sketch styles. This highlights a broader shift in industry expectations, as realistic image creation becomes standard across many platforms. Users can also now choose specific aspect ratios, such as landscape for a website header or portrait for a flyer.
Simplified dictation
Apple noted that the upgraded dictation experience is built directly into the keyboard. It seamlessly corrects spelling, punctuation and capitalisation across all your apps, helping the feature compete more effectively with AI-powered dictation apps like Wispr Flow. This move follows Google’s recent release of a system-wide, Gemini-powered equivalent for Gboard, marking an exciting twist in the smartphone efficiency race.
Effortless AirPods navigation
While there is still no standalone AirPods app, navigating the settings for your wireless earbuds is easier than ever. In the iOS 27 beta, AirPods settings remain at the top of the main Settings menu, but the previous clutter of loosely organised toggles has been condensed into a user-friendly layout. Clean icons now accompany each menu, making options identifiable at a glance.
AirPods users can also enjoy a custom EQ to further personalise their audio profiles. Additionally, with expanded Apple GymKit functionality, users with AirPods Pro 3 can now sync their heart rate data through their iPhone while enjoying incredible sound quality.
Health features
Apple’s Health app is expanding its cycle-tracking feature to fully support both menopause and perimenopause. Users will be able to log related symptoms directly within the app, which will also offer tailored educational content to help people learn more about their bodies.
Maps update
Finally, Apple Maps is introducing an enhanced Flyover experience. By combining aerial imagery with advanced AI, the app allows users to enjoy even more detailed, lifelike visual tours of major cities and landmarks around the globe.
