Apple’s iOS 27 update is rolling out today, bringing the long-awaited Siri AI alongside performance improvements, a refined Liquid Glass design and several smaller changes across the iPhone.
Having used the iOS 27 beta, there are definitely things to love with iOS 27. There are plenty of welcome improvements here, but Siri AI remains the feature Apple needs to get right if it wants iOS 27 to feel like more than another annual collection of refinements.
Apple describes Siri AI as a more conversational assistant that can understand natural requests, maintain context and help with tasks across different apps. You can also write to Siri from more places, use it to draft content and launch visual searches directly through the Camera app.
This is considerably more ambitious than the Siri most iPhone owners have been using for years. However, Apple is launching Siri AI as a beta, and the company notes that usage limits may apply. Some advanced features will also offer expanded access through certain iCloud+ plans, although Apple has not clearly detailed every limit.
That makes this feel less like the finished Siri overhaul and more like the beginning of Apple’s attempt to catch ChatGPT, Gemini and other AI assistants.
Siri AI also requires relatively recent hardware. Apple says it is supported on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, as well as the iPhone 16 family and later models. Older devices can still install iOS 27, including models going back to the iPhone 11 and second-generation iPhone SE, but they will not receive the complete AI experience.
Fortunately, there is more to iOS 27 than Siri. Apple has revisited its Liquid Glass design with improved contrast and an adjustable appearance slider. This should address some of the readability complaints surrounding the original interface without completely abandoning the design.
Apple also claims apps can launch up to 30 per cent faster, new photos can appear in the Photos library up to 70 per cent faster and AirDrop transfers can be up to 80 per cent faster. These are Apple’s figures rather than independent test results, so real-world improvements may vary between iPhone models. But performance is always a good bonus and will be loved by all.
Other potentially useful changes include separate volume controls for different types of alerts, personalised AirPods EQ settings and smoother transitions between Wi-Fi and mobile networks. The Home app can now combine related camera notifications, describe recorded activity and search HomeKit Secure Video footage using natural-language requests. Compatible cameras can also record in 4K.
Apple’s iOS 27 update is rolling out today, bringing the long-awaited Siri AI alongside performance improvements, a refined Liquid Glass design and several smaller changes across the iPhone.
Having used the iOS 27 beta, I’m cautiously optimistic about the update as a whole. There are plenty of welcome improvements here, but Siri AI remains the feature Apple needs to get right if it wants iOS 27 to feel like more than another annual collection of refinements.
Apple describes Siri AI as a more conversational assistant that can understand natural requests, maintain context and help with tasks across different apps. You can also write to Siri from more places, use it to draft content and launch visual searches directly through the Camera app.
This is considerably more ambitious than the Siri most iPhone owners have been using for years. However, Apple is launching Siri AI as a beta, and the company notes that usage limits may apply. Some advanced features will also offer expanded access through certain iCloud+ plans, although Apple has not clearly detailed every limit.
That makes this feel less like the finished Siri overhaul and more like the beginning of Apple’s attempt to catch ChatGPT, Gemini and other AI assistants.
Siri AI also requires relatively recent hardware. Apple says it is supported on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, as well as the iPhone 16 family and later models. Older devices can still install iOS 27, including models going back to the iPhone 11 and second-generation iPhone SE, but they will not receive the complete AI experience.
[INTERNAL LINK: previous iPhone review or Apple Intelligence coverage]
Fortunately, there is more to iOS 27 than Siri. Apple has revisited its Liquid Glass design with improved contrast and an adjustable appearance slider. This should address some of the readability complaints surrounding the original interface without completely abandoning the design.
Apple also claims apps can launch up to 30 per cent faster, new photos can appear in the Photos library up to 70 per cent faster and AirDrop transfers can be up to 80 per cent faster. These are Apple’s figures rather than independent test results, so real-world improvements may vary between iPhone models.
Other potentially useful changes include separate volume controls for different types of alerts, personalised AirPods EQ settings and smoother transitions between Wi-Fi and mobile networks. The Home app can now combine related camera notifications, describe recorded activity and search HomeKit Secure Video footage using natural-language requests. Compatible cameras can also record in 4K.
These smaller improvements may ultimately matter more during daily use than the features receiving most of Apple’s marketing attention. Better network switching, clearer controls and faster everyday performance affect how an iPhone feels throughout the day, even if none of them individually sounds particularly dramatic.
Australian users can access Siri AI when their supported device is set to English. Broader language support is coming later, while feature availability can still vary by language and region.
I would not recommend installing iOS 27 purely because Apple has finally attached AI to Siri’s name. The more sensible reason is that it improves several familiar parts of the iPhone while introducing a Siri experience that may become useful over time.
For now, iOS 27 looks like a worthwhile update, particularly for newer iPhones. Whether Siri AI becomes the reason to stay in Apple’s ecosystem will depend on how reliable it proves outside Apple’s carefully chosen demonstrations..
About Lauren Chan
Lauren Chan is a tech writer and software developer with a passion for any new kinds of technologies. Also a cat lover (who doesn’t)?
–>
Source link