5 minNews
Apple Releases iOS 27 With Siri AI Beta and Faster Performance
Apple has released iOS 27 to the public, bringing a beta version of Siri AI, new Safari monitoring tools, advanced photo editing features, and system-wide performance improvements for iPhone 11 and newer models.
Apple released iOS 27 to the public on Monday, Sept. 14, delivering a broad set of new features headlined by the long-awaited Siri AI beta. The update is available for the iPhone 11 family and newer models, as well as the second-generation iPhone SE and later, allowing many users to upgrade without purchasing new hardware.
However, the most advanced artificial intelligence capabilities carry stricter hardware requirements. Apple Intelligence and Siri AI demand an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or an iPhone 16 model or newer. An iPhone 11 can run iOS 27, but it will not support Siri AI or other Apple Intelligence features. Many of the update's standout tools, including the new AI photo editing functions, Safari Notify Me, and Call Context, also require an Apple Intelligence-compatible device.
Siri AI is rolling out in beta in English on supported devices, with Apple stating that additional languages will follow later. Availability may also vary by region.
Beyond AI, Apple says iOS 27 brings performance improvements across the system. In the company's own testing, apps can launch up to 30% faster, new photos can load in the Photos app up to 70% faster, and AirDrop transfers can be up to 80% faster. Apple also says the update improves transitions between Wi-Fi and cellular connections and makes Mail search more relevant. These figures come from Apple's internal testing, so actual results will vary depending on the device and usage patterns.
The Photos app receives some of the most significant changes. A new Spatial Reframing feature uses Apple Intelligence to let users change the composition and perspective of a photo after it was taken. When a new framing exposes areas outside the original shot, Apple Intelligence can generate additional parts of the scene. Because AI may create new portions of the image, users are advised to zoom in and inspect the result before sharing, as generative tools can still produce odd details.
A new Extend tool allows users to expand a photo beyond its original edges while Apple Intelligence generates the missing surroundings. The feature will not work with every photo, and Apple says its intelligent photo-editing tools may be subject to daily usage limits. The Clean Up tool has also been upgraded to tackle larger unwanted objects and distractions, using AI to fill in the space left behind, which could be especially useful for removing a person in the background.
Image Playground is getting a major upgrade as well. Users can now generate images in many more styles, including photorealistic ones, and can start with an existing image and describe how they want Apple Intelligence to change it. Usage limits may apply, and Apple advises users to look closely at results before sharing, especially when people or detailed objects appear in the scene.
Safari introduces a new Notify Me feature that can monitor a webpage for a change a user cares about. For example, Safari can watch for a product coming back in stock or for a price change, alerting the user when something changes instead of requiring repeated manual checks. Users can choose hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly checks. However, Notify Me does not yet work on every website. Safari can also automatically organize open tabs by topic, helping users whose browser becomes cluttered over time.
Apple Intelligence is also being integrated into phone calls through a new feature called Call Context. When a user calls a supported business, the system can surface useful information from other apps during the call. For instance, if a user calls an airline about a reservation, Call Context can pull up a confirmation code from Mail rather than forcing the user to leave the Phone app and search for it while waiting on the line. Apple says its system determines what could be useful based on who is being called.
Before installing a major update, Apple recommends backing up the iPhone, connecting to Wi-Fi, and ensuring sufficient battery life or plugging the device into power. If iOS 27 does not appear immediately in software update settings, users should check again later, as Apple releases can take time to appear on every compatible iPhone.
