iOS 27 brings Gemini-powered Siri and AI advancements to iPhones at WWDC 2026

Reviewed byNidhi Govil

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Apple is set to unveil iOS 27 at WWDC 2026, marking a significant shift in its artificial intelligence strategy. The update features a completely redesigned Siri powered by Google Gemini, AI-powered photo editing tools including Extend, Enhance, and Reframe, and third-party AI extensions supporting Claude and ChatGPT. New capabilities span Apple Wallet, Health, and Camera apps.

Apple's Upcoming iOS 27 Update Transforms iPhone Experience with AI

Apple will unveil iOS 27 on Monday during WWDC's kickoff, introducing what could be one of the most significant updates to the iPhone operating system in recent years

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. The update represents a major leap in Apple's artificial intelligence capabilities, with new iPhone features spanning core apps and services. After years of playing catch-up in the AI race, Apple is partnering with Google to deliver a fundamentally reimagined user experience powered by advanced machine learning models

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Source: Tom's Guide

Source: Tom's Guide

Gemini-Powered Siri Receives Total AI Overhaul

The centerpiece of iOS 27 is the long-awaited Siri transformation. Originally announced back in 2024 but delayed multiple times, the new Siri will be powered by Google Gemini models, marking Apple's most significant partnership in the AI space

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. The upgraded assistant will feature a standalone Siri app for iPhone, complete with a chatbot-style interface similar to ChatGPT and Gemini

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. Users can expect conversational abilities, improved natural language skills, and contextual awareness that allows the assistant to understand what's happening on screen and across apps.

The new Siri will also include world knowledge built on a large language model foundation, the ability to perform multiple actions with a single request, and systemwide 'Ask Siri' buttons throughout the operating system

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. A new web search feature powered by Perplexity AI will enable Siri to search the web directly without diverting answers to third-party services

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. However, the new Siri may be officially marketed as beta or preview software, suggesting Apple is still refining the experience.

AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Arrive in Apple Photos

Apple Photos is gaining three new AI-powered photo editing tools in iOS 27: Extend, Enhance, and Reframe

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. The Extend feature lets users generate additional image content beyond the original frame, while Enhance uses artificial intelligence to automatically improve color, lighting, and overall image quality. Reframe is designed primarily for spatial photos and allows users to shift perspective after the shot is taken

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The existing Clean Up feature will also see improvements thanks to Apple's new partnership with Google for Gemini technology

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. According to reports, Apple is also testing prompt-based photo editing similar to features found on Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones, though this capability may arrive in a later update

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Third-Party AI Extensions Bring Choice to iPhone Users

iOS 27 introduces a new Extensions feature that opens Apple's native AI tools to third-party chatbots beyond ChatGPT

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. Users will be able to install chatbots from the App Store and link them into Writing Tools, Image Playground, and other AI features. Testing has involved both Claude and Google Gemini, but Apple appears to be keeping the system open to other AI models including Alexa, Meta AI, Copilot, and Grok

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Source: 9to5Mac

Source: 9to5Mac

Camera App Expands Visual Intelligence Capabilities

The Camera app is getting a new 'Siri' mode that joins existing options like 'Photo' and 'Video,' providing access to all visual intelligence features plus new capabilities

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. Users will be able to scan nutrition labels on food packaging to log dietary information and capture contact details directly from what the camera sees

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Apple Wallet and Health Receive Meaningful Updates

Apple Wallet is gaining a 'Create a Pass' feature that enables users to store tickets and passes by creating them from scratch or using the iPhone's camera to scan QR codes and convert them into digital tickets

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. Apple is testing three template options: standard, membership, and event passes, each with customization tools for styles, images, colors, and text fields.

Apple Health will receive upgrades that were previously planned for a subscription service, including educational videos created by physicians and health experts, AI-powered coaching and wellness suggestions, and more robust nutritional tracking

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. These features might arrive in a future update to iOS 27 rather than at launch.

Additional Enhancements Across the System

Autocorrect is expected to gain grammar-focused alternative word suggestions, resembling tools like Grammarly and moving beyond simple spelling corrections . Safari Tab Groups will benefit from automatic naming via Apple Intelligence, similar to how the system currently creates custom podcast chapters and organizes Reminders lists

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