iOS 27: Release date expectations, new features, and compatible iPhones
iOS 26's Liquid Glass for illustrative purposes. | Image by Apple
iOS 27: what to expect
What's expected to change vs iOS 26:
- More personalized version of Siri
- 5G satellite internet connectivity support (may be limited to iPhone 18 Pro)
- Improvements in quality and performance
- Liquid Glass enhancements and a system-wide Liquid Glass slider
- Updated iPhone keyboard
- Apple Intelligence updates
- iOS 27 is expected to be showcased during WWDC 2026 on June 8.
- It will be officially released with the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Pro in the fall of 2026, and to all supported iPhones.
iOS 27 release date
New iOS versions usually get unveiled during WWDC, then have a beta testing period and launch officially together with the new iPhones in September.
| iOS version | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| iOS 27 | June 8, 2026* | September 2026* |
| iOS 26 | June 9, 2025 | September 2025 |
| iOS 18 | June 10, 2024 | September 2024 |
* - probable dates
With iOS 26, Apple changed the branding and jumped from 18 to 26. The company is expected to keep this branding going forward, so its new OS is expected to be iOS 27.
iOS 27 supported iPhones
iOS 27 is expected to be compatible with the iPhone 12 and later. Unfortunately, rumor has it that the iPhone 11 won't support the new OS. Also, the second-generation iPhone SE is also dropping support this time around, most likely.
| iPhone generation | Market release date | iOS 27 support |
|---|---|---|
| First foldable iPhone | September 2026, expected | Yes |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Pro | September 2026, expected | Yes |
| iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18e | Spring 2027, expected | Yes |
| iPhone 17e | March 2026 | Yes |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 | September 2025 | Yes |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 | September 2024 | Yes |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 | September 22, 2023 | Yes |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 | September 16, 2022 | Yes |
| iPhone SE 3rd Gen | March 18, 2022 | Yes |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini | September 24, 2021 | Yes |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini | October 23, 2020 | Yes |
| iPhone SE 2nd Gen | April 24, 2020 | No |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 | September 20, 2019 | No |
| iPhone XS Max, XS, iPhone XR | September 21, 2018 | No |
| iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone X | September 22-November 3, 2017 | No |
iOS 27 is expected to come pre-installed with the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Pro, Apple's first foldable iPhone, and the iPhone 18.
iOS 27 design
iOS 27 is not expected to redesign things like iOS 26. Rather, we're looking at small refinements and improvements to the Liquid Glass experience.
For one, we're reportedly getting a system-wide slider to customize the Liquid Glass effect. This information comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who seems to believe Liquid Glass is not going anywhere, but Apple is giving you more control over it.
Reportedly, we'll be getting incremental improvements to deal with overlapping elements of the glass look. This should help improve the overall experience with it.
Liquid Glass was introduced with iOS 26. | Image by Apple
iOS 27 top features
iOS 27's most anticipated feature is the Siri. The promised, long-overdue context-aware Siri may potentially finally come with iOS 27. Apart from that, the new software should deliver quality-of-life improvements and refinements.
The new Siri
Mark Gurman recently hinted that the teaser logo for WWDC 26 is hinting at the new Siri.
WWDC 2026 teaser logo. | Image by Apple
Reportedly, the new Siri that's being tested will live inside the Dynamic Island. When you trigger it, the pill-shaped cutout should expand with a "Search or Ask" message and a glowing cursor.
The Island is said to gain a thin glow around its edges to indicate Siri is active. The glow will reportedly be in Siri's signature animation colors. Apple is also working on a standalone Siri app with the same matching animation colors.
With iOS 27, Siri is reportedly getting opened up to third-party chatbots. The new integration will allow for Siri to hand questions to other generative AI chatbots like Claude, Gemini, or others (if they are installed on the iPhone).
You will reportedly have a choice of which services to use inside Siri.
Earlier, another report suggested that Apple is planning a complete overhaul of Siri with iOS 27. The digital assistant is reportedly getting a new standalone app, carrying the codename "Campo".
You would be able to enter previous conversations from this app (just like current generative AI apps like Gemini or ChatGPT), as well as switch between using a typed input or a spoken input.
The app itself is said to resemble the Messages app with a text box and message bubbles.
On top of all that, Siri is said to finally be gaining the context awareness promised back with the iPhone 16, and the assistant should also be able to handle tasks inside other apps.
Visual Intelligence upgrades
The new Siri is not the only big upgrade that iOS 27 is reportedly going to bring. Hints discovered in the backend code suggest that Visual Intelligence would be gaining the ability to scan the nutrition label of a packaged food item and tell you more about it.
This ability is said to be integrated with Apple Health.
Also, the feature would be able to scan and add new mobile numbers, people, and addresses to the iPhone Contacts app (with iOS 26, the feature gained the ability to add stuff to the Calendar app).
Home screen updates
A recent report indicates that iOS 27 is also bringing some useful home screen changes. Apparently, yet again, according to reputable analyst Mark Gurman, Apple may add undo and redo buttons to the home screen menu with iOS 27.
Mockup of the undo feature. | Image by PhoneArena
Currently, the menu has Add Widget, Customize, Edit Wallpaper, and Edit Pages. Adding a redo and undo options to the mix will eliminate the frustration from accidentally deleting a widget or shuffling to a layout you don't like.
Safari and Apple Wallet tweaks
With iOS 27, Safari will reportedly be getting a useful AI-powered ability. The browser would be able to intelligently understand the content of tabs within a group and give the group a name automatically.
Meanwhile, Apple Wallet is expected to be gaining the ability to convert physical passes into digital passes. For example, a physical gym membership card would be able to be scanned and converted into a digital pass in the app.
AI features into Apple's core apps
Rumor has it that Apple will keep adding AI across the OS. For one, the Calendar app may be getting an overhaul, powered by Siri's new intelligence. Rumors are contradictory on the Apple Health AI coach feature that was rumored earlier, so it's not certain whether this one is coming or not. Most likely, it's not.
Foldable iPhone features
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to be coming in the fall of 2026. Of course, it's a different form factor, so rumor has it Apple will adapt iOS 27 for foldables as well. This would mean improved multitasking and potentially features like Samsung's Flex mode to take advantage of the folding of the device.
Satellite features
Apple is reportedly ambitious with iOS 27's connectivity abilities. Rumor has it the company is working on adding satellite support to Apple Maps. iOS 27 should also bring an API for third-party developers to add satellite connections.
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