iOS 27 Launch: Apple's Biggest AI Upgrade Yet
Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, 2026, and its centrepiece is Siri AI, a rebuilt Siri with its own app and far more context about you and your screen. Around it sit more than 20 new Apple Intelligence features. We explain what is new, which iPhones get which features, where Siri AI is still missing, and how to set it up.
⚡ Quick facts
- Released: September 14, 2026, after its WWDC debut on June 8; iOS 27.2 followed on October 26
- Headline: Siri AI: a rebuilt Siri with its own app, personal context, onscreen awareness and app actions (still labelled beta)
- Other AI features: 20+ in total, including Photos Extend and Reframe, Safari tab topics and Notify Me, and natural-language Shortcuts
- Devices: iOS 27 runs on iPhone 11 and later; Apple Intelligence needs iPhone 15 Pro or any iPhone 16 or newer
- Not everywhere: Siri AI is unavailable on iPhone in the EU and mainland China
Siri AI: the headline change
iOS 27 replaces the old assistant with Siri AI, a rebuilt Siri that has its own app and keeps a conversation history synced through iCloud. According to Macworld, it can draw on personal context from apps such as Messages and Mail, understand what is on screen, take actions inside apps and use the camera. Apple still labels it a beta. In the original release it worked in English; iOS 27.2, out on October 26, added more languages, which we cover in our iOS 27.2 Siri languages explainer.
The other Apple Intelligence features
9to5Mac counts more than 20 new Apple Intelligence features. The most useful day to day:
- Photos: Extend and Spatial Reframing to widen or recompose a shot, plus an improved Clean Up.
- Safari: organises tabs by topic, “Notify Me” watches a page for changes, and “Describe an Extension” builds a simple extension from a plain-language request.
- Messages and Mail: personalised Smart Reply; Mail also gets suggestions.
- Calendar, Reminders and Shortcuts: create events, reminders and shortcuts by describing them.
- Systemwide: automatic proofreading, Call Context during calls with businesses, and richer VoiceOver image descriptions.
BGR's round-up of the same list adds a redesigned Image Playground and smarter file naming in Files.
Which iPhones get what
iOS 27 installs on the iPhone 11 and later and the iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later. Apple Intelligence, including Siri AI, needs an iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max or any iPhone 16 or newer. Macworld adds that the new expressive Siri voices need an iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air or newer. An iPhone 15 or older gets the rest of iOS 27, including the refined Liquid Glass design and its new transparency slider, but not the AI features.
Where Siri AI is not available
Siri AI is unavailable on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch in the EU; Apple's newsroom statement blames the Digital Markets Act. It is also unavailable in mainland China while Apple works through regulatory approvals. Macworld notes the EU limit does not apply to Siri AI on the Mac.
Our take: a five-minute setup checklist
- Check your model. Settings > General > About. Below iPhone 15 Pro, skip the AI steps; you still get the redesign and fixes.
- Update to the latest point release. iOS 27.2 or later brings more Siri languages and fixes from the first weeks.
- Turn on Apple Intelligence and choose a Siri language. Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri; the model download needs Wi-Fi and free storage.
- Review what Siri can see. Personal context reads Messages and Mail; decide per app in Siri settings what it may use.
- Try one feature per app. Notify Me on a price page in Safari, Extend on a tight photo, and a Shortcut described in plain words show quickly what is worth keeping.
Sources
- Macworld: iOS 27 features, compatibility and Siri AI updates
- 9to5Mac: Apple Intelligence has 20+ new features in iOS 27 (September 18, 2026)
- BGR: new Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27
- MacRumors: Apple releases iOS 27.2 (October 26, 2026)
- Apple Newsroom: Siri AI delayed in the EU for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27
Frequently asked questions
When was iOS 27 released?
Apple released iOS 27 on September 14, 2026, after unveiling it at WWDC on June 8. iOS 27.2 followed on October 26, 2026.
What is Siri AI in iOS 27?
Siri AI is a rebuilt Siri with its own app, conversation history synced through iCloud, personal context from apps like Messages and Mail, onscreen awareness, a camera mode and app actions. Apple still labels it a beta.
Which iPhones support iOS 27?
iOS 27 runs on the iPhone 11 and later and the iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later.
Which iPhones get Apple Intelligence in iOS 27?
Apple Intelligence, including Siri AI, needs an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max or any iPhone 16 model or newer. The new expressive Siri voices need an iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air or newer.
Is Siri AI available in the EU and China?
No. Siri AI is unavailable on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch in the EU, which Apple attributes to the Digital Markets Act, and in mainland China pending regulatory approval. In the EU it does work on the Mac.
What are the best new AI features in iOS 27 apart from Siri?
Photos Extend and Spatial Reframing, Safari tab topics and Notify Me, personalised Smart Reply in Messages and Mail, natural-language Calendar, Reminders and Shortcuts, and systemwide proofreading.