Apple is set to transform Siri in iOS 27, enhancing the personal assistant into a sophisticated chatbot and AI agent poised to rival ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. This transformation will introduce significant design changes, with Siri primarily residing in the Dynamic Island but also featuring a standalone app for the first time.
Upon activation via the Siri wake word or the iPhone’s side button, a pill-shaped animation will appear in the Dynamic Island. Users interacting with Siri will see a transparent results card, which, when swiped, reveals a conversation mode akin to an iMessage chat. This mode will display small cards with relevant information such as weather updates, notes, and upcoming appointments.
The new Siri app will allow users to revisit previous conversations and start new ones, featuring a grid with summaries of past interactions, a search bar, and a “+” button for initiating new chats. Users can upload images and documents, and choose between typing or voice input for their interactions with Siri.
A system-wide search interface will be accessible by swiping down from the top center of the display in any app, featuring a “Search or Ask” bar in the Dynamic Island. This function is similar to Spotlight Search but promises more advanced results and additional data from within apps.
Siri will enhance its capabilities by sourcing information from the web, providing detailed answers to common chatbot queries with bullet points and large images. While Siri remains the default for the search bar, users can opt to interact with other chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini. Apple intends to allow third-party AI services as defaults for features like Writing Tools and Image Playground, broadening the integration of Apple Intelligence.
The Image Playground app will undergo a redesign, simplifying controls and introducing a “describe a change” option for editing generated images. Previously created images will be displayed in a grid with rounded edges, and a “+” button replaces the New Image button. Apple is also testing new models for more realistic image generation, potentially introducing these capabilities in iOS 27.
Additionally, Apple is planning updates to the Camera app, Photos app, Wallet, and Shortcuts, with potential adjustments to Liquid Glass. More details on iOS 27’s offerings are available in the iOS 27 roundup.
