On September 15, 2026, Apple officially released the iOS 27 operating system, which has become one of the most significant updates in the platform's history. The centerpiece of the release was the deep transformation of the Siri voice assistant into a full-fledged AI helper — Siri AI, powered by advanced neural network models. At the same time, the company refined the Apple Intelligence ecosystem, introduced new image-handling tools, and strengthened parental control mechanisms. The update is already available for download on all supported devices via Settings → General → Software Update.

Siri AI: from voice assistant to system coordinator

The headline feature of iOS 27 is the replacement of classic Siri with Siri AI — an assistant built on the new Apple Foundation Model. According to Apple, the model was trained with the involvement of Google Gemini solutions, which significantly expanded its semantic analysis and answer-generation capabilities. The model is now overseen by an additional component — the System Orchestrator — which coordinates requests across the device's various subsystems. Users can now not only dictate commands but also enter text queries and view the full conversation history in a dedicated Siri AI app. When voice mode is activated, the assistant visually "envelops" the Dynamic Island zone, creating a sense of presence.

Deep personal context and image handling

Siri AI has gained the ability to analyze a user's photos, contacts, and message history. For example, upon the request "show me where we were on our last vacation," the system finds the corresponding shots in the gallery and extracts details from the trip-related correspondence. The Visual Intelligence feature is integrated directly into the Camera app via a dedicated Siri mode: users can make queries about objects in the frame or in screenshots. The Photos app now includes the Extend tool (generating background beyond the original frame) and Spatial Reframe (changing the angle after shooting). The Image Playground generator has been integrated with ChatGPT for creating photorealistic graphics. It is important to note, however, that the full operation of the most advanced local AI model requires substantial computing power, so it is available on the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and newer flagships.

Liquid Glass, Maps, and HomeKit: system refinements

The Liquid Glass interface style, which debuted in the previous generation, has been refined: contrast and icon sharpness have been improved, and a transparency customization slider has been added. Apple Maps now offers more detailed 3D Flyover views and automatic location lists. HomeKit Secure Video now supports streaming and recording in 4K resolution. In the security section, the process of setting up a child's Apple Account has been simplified: parents can now control their children's requests to visit new websites, and the Time Allowances feature in Screen Time provides more flexible management of app usage time. The Communication Safety tool has been expanded — it now blocks not only nude photos but also graphic content (gore).

Compatibility and installation

iOS 27 is supported by all smartphones starting from the iPhone 11 and the second-generation iPhone SE and newer models. Thus, the update covers a broad audience of devices released over the past several years. The new system can be installed directly on the device via Settings → General → Software Update. Users whose devices are not on the supported list will continue to receive security updates for their current version of iOS.

Contradictory data

In the primary release description, Apple states that the full local AI model is available on the "iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and newer flagships." However, a number of publications, in particular dgl.ru, mention the "iPhone Duo" in their headline and text as a device with special features in iOS 27. As of the time of publication, no official clarification from Apple regarding the relationship between these names has been issued. It is possible that this is a marketing name that is communicated differently in different regions, or an error in one of the sources. Until an official comment from the company is received, the XAB.info editorial team adheres to the wording in the primary release: iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro.