Apple is reportedly preparing its biggest artificial intelligence push yet with iOS 27. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the next major iPhone software release will include “major updates” to Apple Intelligence, signaling a bold expansion of Apple’s AI strategy. The rollout will follow a significant Siri redesign expected to arrive earlier with iOS 26.4 this spring.
The Siri upgrade in iOS 26.4 will serve as a preview of Apple’s next-generation AI capabilities. The assistant is set to gain improved contextual understanding, natural language processing, and smarter app control features powered by Apple Intelligence. This update will bridge the gap between Apple’s current AI tools and the deeper, system-wide intelligence expected in iOS 27.
Apple Intelligence, introduced in 2024, was designed as a privacy-focused AI framework that performs most processing directly on the device. While this approach has been praised for user privacy, it has also limited Apple’s ability to compete with AI systems from Google and Samsung. With iOS 27, Apple may evolve this model into a hybrid approach, combining on-device processing with cloud-based generative features to achieve more powerful and flexible results.
Gurman reports that Apple will unveil iOS 27, macOS 27, and watchOS 27 during the Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2026. The updates will emphasize deeper integration of Apple Intelligence across all platforms, expanding beyond Siri to more core apps and features. Although Apple has yet to share specifics, the description of “major updates” suggests a stronger emphasis on generative tools, smarter automation, and personalized device behavior.
So far, iOS 26 has introduced over twenty Apple Intelligence features, including text rewriting, image generation, and smarter notification summaries. However, users have noted that Apple’s AI still feels conservative compared to competitors like Google Gemini. That perception may soon change, as Apple aligns its software roadmap with a more ambitious, cross-platform AI strategy beginning with iOS 26.4 and culminating in iOS 27.
If Apple delivers on these plans, 2026 could mark the company’s true AI breakout year. The combination of a smarter Siri, enhanced Apple Intelligence, and deeper system integration could finally position Apple as a serious competitor in the AI race, redefining how iPhones and other Apple devices think, respond, and assist users.
(via Bloomberg)
