Apple WWDC 2026 to showcase major Siri overhaul, iOS 27, and new AI features on June 8

Apple WWDC 2026: iOS 27, a smarter Siri and new AI features expected

Mark your calendars for June 8 as Apple takes the stage for its highly anticipated Worldwide Developers Conference. This year, the tech giant is unleashing a powerful wave of artificial intelligence initiatives, headlined by a revamped, smarter Siri. Attendees can also look forward to the unveiling of innovative AI tools and the latest updates to iOS 27. Apple is expected to use its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 8 to make a fresh push into artificial intelligence (AI), with a Siri overhaul that has been long pending, new AI-powered tools and iOS 27 likely to take centre stage. The event comes at a crucial moment for the iPhone maker. Nearly two years after unveiling Apple Intelligence, Apple is still facing criticism for delayed features and a Siri revamp that never fully materialised. Now, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company is preparing its biggest Siri upgrade in years as it looks to catch up with rivals such as Google Gemini, ChatGPT and Samsung's Galaxy AI. Also Read: ET at Apple's Bengaluru developer showcase: The apps headed to WWDC 2026 New Siri expected to be the biggest WWDC 2026 announcement At the heart of Apple's plans is a redesigned Siri that is expected to move beyond simple voice commands and become a more capable AI assistant. The new Siri could gain the ability to understand what's on a user's screen, pull information from emails, notes, calendars and contacts, and perform actions across apps. Users may also be able to issue multiple commands in a single prompt. For instance, asking Siri to check the weather, schedule a meeting and send a message at the same time. Many of these features were originally previewed in 2024 before being repeatedly delayed. Apple is also reportedly working on a dedicated Siri app that would function more like ChatGPT or Gemini. The app could allow users to hold ongoing conversations, upload files and photos for analysis, access chat history and sync conversations across devices through iCloud. Apple is even said to be testing support for third-party AI models including Claude and Gemini alongside ChatGPT. iOS 27 may focus on performance, battery life and reliability While AI is expected to dominate the keynote, iOS 27 itself may be less about flashy redesigns and more about fixing pain points. Unlike last year's major visual overhaul with "Liquid Glass" design, Apple is reportedly focusing on performance improvements, better battery life, fewer bugs and faster response times. The company is also believed to be laying the groundwork for a foldable iPhone expected later this year through under-the-hood changes in the operating system. Apple is also expected to introduce a new AI-focused "Search or Ask" experience, making it easier for users to search their device, launch apps and interact with Siri from a single interface. Also Read: Will your iPhone get iOS 27? These four models may miss out on Apple's next major software update AI writing tools and photo editing upgrades could arrive with iOS 27 The update could bring a range of new AI features across the iPhone, iPad and Mac. These include a Grammarly-like grammar checker built into iOS, AI-powered writing assistance through a new "Write with Siri" feature, smarter shortcuts that can be created using natural language, AI-generated wallpapers and upgraded photo editing tools capable of expanding images, improving quality and removing unwanted objects more effectively. Apple is also expected to enhance Visual Intelligence, its answer to Google's Lens. The feature could gain the ability to recognise nutrition labels, extract contact information and provide more contextual information about objects seen through the camera. Wallet, Safari and AirPods could get useful upgrades Beyond AI, Apple is reportedly working on a handful of practical upgrades aimed at everyday users. These include a built-in bill-splitting feature in Wallet and Messages, custom digital pass creation in Wallet, a redesigned Safari start page, improved AirPods controls and updates to fitness and heart-rate tracking on the Apple Watch. The company is also said to be improving notification management, adding more customisation options to the Camera app and making several changes aimed at improving the overall experience across its devices. Also Read: Apple to let users choose rival AI models across iOS 27 features: Report Why WWDC 2026 could be Apple's most important AI event yet For Apple, however, the real focus will be Siri. The assistant has largely remained unchanged while competitors have transformed their products into conversational AI platforms capable of reasoning, planning and completing complex tasks. WWDC 2026 could be Apple's attempt to show that it is finally ready to compete in that race -- and deliver some of the AI features it first promised users nearly two years ago. Whether Apple can close the gap with ChatGPT, Gemini and other AI rivals remains to be seen, but June 8 could offer the clearest look yet at the company's long-term AI strategy.

Inside WWDC 2026: What Apple Could Unveil Across iPhone, Mac, and AI

The WorldWide Developers Conference (WWDC), held every year by Apple, is anticipated to center around software advancements. Updates for iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and Apple Intelligence are also expected. Additionally, the company's AI roadmap will be unveiled at the event. This hybrid event is scheduled to happen between June 8, 2026, and June 12, 2026. The keynote of the conference will take place on Monday (June 8) at 10 AM PT. The company provides selected developers, students, and media members with the opportunity to visit Apple Park in Cupertino. Moreover, they can attend the Platform State of the Union session and meet with Apple engineers.