Apple is set to unveil its next-generation operating system, iOS 27, at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2026) in about a month. The new iOS 27 is expected to showcase a major overhaul of Siri, reflecting Apple’s ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) strategy.
Industry insiders report that Apple plans to introduce a revamped Siri through iOS 27 on May 10. The update will not only enhance Siri’s capabilities but also integrate AI features across the operating system, including photography, camera functions, and health applications.
While Apple has long been hailed as a pioneer of innovation in the smartphone era, critics argue that it has fallen behind in the AI race. Despite announcing plans to showcase various AI features, including a personalized Siri, at WWDC 2024, these promised enhancements have yet to materialize.
The delay sparked controversy in the U.S., leading to accusations of false advertising and a class-action lawsuit. Apple recently agreed to a 250 million USD settlement to resolve the dispute.
As a result, anticipation for iOS 27’s debut at this year’s WWDC has reached fever pitch. Adding fuel to the fire, Apple reported a significant increase in research and development (R&D) spending, jumping to 10.3% of revenue in the first quarter of this year, up from 9% in the same period of 2025. Analysts interpret this as a clear signal that Apple is doubling down on efforts to close the AI gap.
Siri, the cornerstone of Apple’s AI strategy, is expected to undergo a complete transformation in iOS 27. The virtual assistant will likely be rebuilt using large language models (LLM) and offered as a standalone Apple application. Users can expect a chatbot-style interface reminiscent of ChatGPT and Gemini.
The revamped Siri is anticipated to boast impressive new capabilities, including the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously with a single request, enhanced personal context understanding, and improved screen recognition features. These advancements suggest that Apple is gearing up to compete head-on in the AI agent arena.
Apple also plans to expand integration with external AI agents through iOS 27. The new Extensions feature will allow users to choose which AI services power certain intelligence functions. Reports indicate that Apple is currently testing this functionality with tech giants like Google and AI startup Anthropic.
The Photos app is another area set for a major AI-powered upgrade in the new operating system.
Users can look forward to exciting new features in the Photos app, including Expand for generating images beyond the original frame, Enhance for improving image quality through intelligent color and lighting adjustments, and Reframe for altering photo composition after capture.
Other rumored enhancements include a Siri-powered feature in the Camera app for extracting information from photos and videos, expanded Apple Wallet functionality for storing various access cards and lifestyle passes, and AI-driven health coaching and nutrition tracking in the Health app.
