Apple is giving iPhone users an early look at its next major mobile operating system with the release of the iOS 27 public beta. Although the full version is expected to launch for supported iPhone models this September, anyone enrolled in Apple’s beta program can already test many of the software’s newest features.
Like previous major iPhone updates, iOS 27 introduces a combination of design changes, artificial intelligence enhancements, and everyday productivity improvements that can make an existing device feel significantly more capable. Here are five of the most notable features available in the public beta.
Siri Gets a Major AI Upgrade and a Dedicated App
One of the biggest changes in iOS 27 is Apple’s overhaul of Siri.
For years, users have criticized Siri for struggling with even simple requests and for lacking the conversational experience offered by competing AI assistants. With iOS 27, Apple introduces a redesigned Siri powered by Apple Foundation Models built on Google’s Gemini technology, giving the assistant stronger natural language understanding and more accurate responses.
A dedicated Siri app also makes its debut.
The standalone application offers a familiar chat-style interface similar to other AI assistants, allowing users to ask questions, continue previous conversations, and revisit earlier interactions without starting from scratch each time.
Why It Matters
The redesigned experience represents one of the most significant changes to Siri since its introduction and reflects Apple’s broader push to integrate generative AI across its ecosystem.
Photos App Delivers Smarter Object Removal
Photo editing also receives a noticeable improvement in iOS 27.
Apple has significantly upgraded the Photos app’s Clean Up tool, making it easier to remove unwanted people, objects, or distractions from images while producing more natural-looking results.
Previous versions of the feature often struggled with complex edits compared with third-party AI editing apps. The updated version is designed to deliver cleaner removals that better preserve the original appearance of a photo.
Improved Everyday Editing
Whether removing background clutter from vacation photos or eliminating distracting objects from family pictures, the enhanced editing tools make quick touch-ups more practical without leaving the Photos app.
Vision Intelligence Adds Food Nutrition Insights
Apple is expanding the capabilities of Vision Intelligence, the AI feature that analyzes images captured with the iPhone camera or stored in the photo library.
In iOS 27, users can point their camera at a meal to receive nutritional insights. While the feature does not estimate calorie counts, it can identify ingredients, evaluate the overall nutritional quality of a dish, and indicate whether foods appear to be heavily processed.
A Helpful Wellness Feature
The addition supports users who want more information about their meals without requiring a separate nutrition app, complementing Apple’s broader focus on health and wellness features.
Safari Can Notify You When a Webpage Changes
Safari receives several improvements in iOS 27, including a new notification feature for webpage updates.
Users can choose to monitor specific webpages and receive alerts whenever new content appears or changes are made. This can be useful for tracking blog updates, following product price changes, or monitoring pages that are updated regularly.
Useful for Shopping and News
The feature could be especially valuable for online shoppers waiting for discounts, as well as readers who follow frequently updated news sites or specialized blogs.
Liquid Glass Becomes More Customizable
Beyond its AI-powered additions, iOS 27 also introduces more flexibility for Apple’s new Liquid Glass interface.
The redesigned visual style has generated mixed reactions among iPhone users since it was first revealed. In response, Apple has expanded customization options, allowing users to better personalize the appearance of the interface to suit their preferences.
The added controls give users greater flexibility while preserving the overall design language introduced in iOS 27.
Early Access Offers a Preview of Apple’s Next iPhone Experience
With the public beta now available, iPhone users do not have to wait until September to experience many of iOS 27’s headline features. From a smarter Siri and improved photo editing to nutrition analysis, webpage monitoring, and expanded interface customization, the update highlights Apple’s growing emphasis on AI while continuing to refine everyday iPhone functionality ahead of its official release.
Abigail Prescott is a contributor to Campuslately.com, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging trends. With a reader-first approach, Abigail highlights stories that matter, providing balanced coverage and accessible insights on issues relevant to everyday audiences.
