Apple has officially begun releasing the iOS 27 operating system update.
Apple has started releasing the iOS 27 update for supported iPhone users. In Thailand, users can update starting 15 Sep 2026 GMT+7. This version does not introduce a major redesign like the Liquid Glass interface in iOS 26, but focuses on stability and speed for everyday use. The main highlight is the new Siri AI assistant, which Apple claims is smarter and better at understanding user context.
Users with iPhone 11 or later, including the second-generation iPhone SE, can update via Settings > General > Software Update. However, although older models like the iPhone 11 can update, the Apple Intelligence feature is available only on iPhone 15 Pro and newer.
Regarding performance, Apple states that iOS 27 runs faster in three key areas:
iOS 27 also improves how iPhones switch between Wi-Fi and cellular networks, reducing signal drops. Additionally, several improvements benefit older iPhone models like the iPhone 11, as Apple has optimized CPU task allocation for better efficiency.
The Siri AI, a key feature of iOS 27, operates on Apple's third-generation foundational model developed together with Google's Gemini model. However, Apple confirms it does not use Google's infrastructure to process Siri commands, nor does it share user data from Siri interactions with Google.
After updating, Siri AI will request to index data on the device to learn from the user, apps, and other information. This process may take several hours up to a few days. Additionally, Siri AI is integrated into the Camera app to enable image-based searches similar to Google Lens.
The Photos app gains new AI features but only for iPhone 15 Pro and newer models because it requires Apple Intelligence. The Clean Up feature, which removes unwanted objects from photos, performs better with a new model. For large objects, processing may be done on a Private Cloud Compute server, while smaller edits are handled on-device.
The new Extend feature enlarges photo edges and reconstructs missing parts contextually using Apple's Diffusion Model in the cloud. Spatial Reframing adjusts the image perspective—for example, simulating a lower shooting angle—using Generative AI to fill missing areas while preserving faces of people and pets as much as possible.
These features are accessed via Edit > Tools and are free to use but limited in quota. Frequent users must subscribe to a higher-tier iCloud plan.
The Image Playground app now uses a more powerful image generation model, capable of producing high-quality images in nearly any style, including photorealistic. If no style is specified in a command, photorealistic style is used by default. The daily usage limit depends on the iCloud subscription plan.
Safari automatically organizes tabs by topic and notifies users when a webpage changes, such as when an item goes on sale or becomes available again. The Custom Extensions feature lets users describe desired capabilities, and Safari creates extensions accordingly. It prioritizes recommending third-party developer extensions first, and extensions created on iPhone sync to other devices like Mac.
Other improvements include a new ranking system that brings relevant emails to the top when searching in Mail, and natural language input for creating calendar events. Additional apps and features updated include: