Apple has officially rolled out the public beta of iOS 27, described as the company's most AI-centric iPhone operating system yet. The update introduces an upgraded Siri, AI-powered photo editing tools, and a rebuilt Wallet app, with a full release expected around September. The public beta is a pre-release version designed for testing and feedback, giving iPhone users an early look at features that will reach the wider audience later this year.
iOS 27 spans a wide range of built-in apps, including Photos, Camera, Weather, and Wallet, while also expanding home screen, lock screen, and widget customisation. The update reflects Apple's push to embed artificial intelligence across the iPhone experience, with Siri gaining the ability to process on-screen content and users gaining new ways to generate images and automate tasks.
Siri Gains Advanced On-Screen Awareness and ChatGPT Access
Siri has received one of its most substantial upgrades since the assistant was first introduced. The voice assistant can now read and understand content currently displayed on a user's screen, summarise web pages, compose message replies, search for products, and carry out actions across several apps without the user switching between them manually.
Apple has also built in a ChatGPT integration, allowing users to hand off more complex tasks such as research, writing, and coding directly to the chatbot from within Siri. A dedicated Siri app is available for extended conversations. This positions Siri as a more proactive assistant capable of handling multi-step requests beyond simple voice commands.
AI Photo Tools and New Customisation Options
The Photos app now includes three tools. Reframe recreates an image from a different angle; Extend expands the background of a photo; and an improved Cleanup feature removes unwanted objects from images. All three rely on artificial intelligence to process and generate results, giving iPhone users editing capabilities that were previously not possible on-device.
Beyond photos, Apple has introduced AI-generated wallpapers that can also be expanded, alongside adjustable transparency for app icons, larger home screen widgets, and a redesigned lock screen with more control over wallpaper placement and widget layout. A shake gesture can undo any home screen changes made by accident.
Users can now also describe what they want an automation to do in plain language, and the system will build the Shortcut for them without any manual configuration. This lowers the barrier for users who want to create complex automations but lack programming knowledge.
Wallet, Weather and Other Updates
Apple Wallet now allows users to scan physical membership cards, loyalty cards, and event tickets to create their own digital passes stored directly on the iPhone. This makes it easier to consolidate everyday cards into a single digital wallet.
The Weather app has been updated to display more granular conditions, covering wind speed, precipitation levels, and cloud cover in greater detail than before. Other additions in iOS 27 include live subtitles for videos, an equaliser for AirPods, photo ratings inside the Photos app, identity document organisation, and a redesigned Camera interface with a dedicated Siri mode.
Full list of new iOS 27 features
The full list of new features outlined for iOS 27 includes:
- Siri upgrades with on-screen awareness
- AI photo editing tools
- ChatGPT integration
- Expandable wallpapers
- AI-generated wallpapers
- Customisable lock screen controls
- Natural language Shortcuts automation
- Custom Wallet passes
- Enhanced Weather app
- Larger widgets
- Live subtitles
- AirPods equaliser
- Improved photo management
- Improved document management
Apple to Pay $250 Million Over Apple Intelligence
In a related development, Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class action lawsuit accusing the company of misleading customers about the availability of its artificial intelligence features branded as Apple Intelligence. The proposed settlement applies to US customers who purchased all models of the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 15 Pro between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.
Under the agreement, eligible claimants may receive $25 per device, though the amount could rise to as much as $95 depending on the number of claims filed and other factors, according to the legal team behind the case. The settlement underscores the legal risks tech companies face when marketing upcoming software capabilities, especially when those features are delayed or differ from initial promises.
