Apple unveils Siri AI and iOS 27 at WWDC 2026 keynote

Apple ↗0.70% debuted Siri AI at Monday’s WWDC keynote, a ground-up rebuild featuring a dedicated app, multi-step task execution, and context-aware conversations.techcrunch
The new Siri is powered partly by a collaboration with Google’s ↗1.48% Gemini models and lives in the Dynamic Island with a new “Search or Ask” interface.mashable
iOS 27, now available as a developer beta, focuses on performance, battery life, and AI-powered photo editing tools, with a public release expected in September.macrumors

Apple Unveils Revamped Siri AI and iOS 27 at WWDC 2026

Apple used its Worldwide Developers Conference keynote on Monday to debut the most ambitious overhaul of Siri since the assistant launched in 2011, rebranding it as “Siri AI” — a fully conversational assistant rebuilt from the ground up with Apple Intelligence and powered in part by a collaboration with Google’s Gemini AI models.techcrunch

The announcement, delivered from Apple Park in Cupertino, also marked CEO Tim Cook’s final WWDC keynote before handing leadership to hardware chief John Ternus on September 1.techcrunch

A New Siri, Built Like a Chatbot

The new Siri can engage in natural back-and-forth conversations, retain context across interactions, and execute multi-step tasks spanning multiple apps — capabilities Apple had first promised at WWDC 2024 but repeatedly delayed. For the first time, Siri exists as a standalone app where users can review past conversations, upload files and images, and interact via text or voice, positioning it as a direct competitor to ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.macrumors

The assistant’s interface has migrated to the Dynamic Island, where it appears with a glowing animation and presents responses as expandable cards. A new “Search or Ask” prompt, accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen, combines Siri, Spotlight search, and third-party AI services into a single unified hub. Users can long-press the bar to switch to alternative AI providers, including ChatGPT and Gemini.gulfnews

On-screen awareness through Visual Intelligence allows Siri to understand what users are viewing and act on it, while a new Camera app mode lets users scan nutrition labels and contact information directly.9to5mac

iOS 27: Refinement Over Reinvention

Alongside Siri, Apple unveiled iOS 27, which prioritizes performance, battery efficiency, and deeper AI integration rather than a visual redesign. The update introduces AI-powered photo editing tools — Extend, Enhance, and Reframe — for expanding backgrounds, improving lighting, and adjusting composition. The Camera app becomes fully customizable, and Apple Intelligence can now generate wallpapers and create Shortcuts from natural language prompts.gulfnews

The Liquid Glass design introduced in iOS 26 remains, though Apple is working on a system-wide opacity slider that would let users adjust its intensity across the entire interface — expanding a feature previously limited to the Lock Screen clock.macrumors

Compatibility and Release Timeline

According to a leak from known Apple leaker Instant Digital on Weibo, iOS 27 drops support for the iPhone 11 series and second-generation iPhone SE, requiring an iPhone 12 or newer. The full Siri AI experience, however, is expected to require an iPhone 15 Pro or later due to its reliance on Apple Intelligence.macrumors

The first developer beta became available immediately following Monday’s keynote, with a public beta expected in July and a final release slated for September 2026.macrumors