These 3 iOS 27 features will change how your iPhone works starting this fall
From faster performance on older iPhones to improved parental controls and a smarter Siri, Apple’s latest software update focuses on everyday usability.
Your iPhone is about to get better this fall. Apple just announced iOS 27 and other software for its devices, like Mac and iPad, during its WWDC keynote. The updates will bring a lot of niceties that will undoubtedly improve how you work and play on your phone and computer.
As someone who's been covering Apple and tech for over a decade, there are three aspects that I'm excited to see and use when the updates come. Those include faster speed, better parental controls, and Siri's AI capabilities. All of these will change how you use your iPhone, whether you get a new one or not.
Speed!
This might be the year you don't long for a new iPhone since iOS 27 is said to make big performance gains, even on old devices. Apple said it's been working under the hood to optimize the speed of launching apps and loading photos, among other things.
Apple said apps should launch up to 30% faster. These performance enhancements will stretch all the way back to the iPhone 11. Other improvements include better handling of how messages are sent, so adding a photo doesn't back up other texts when the network is slower. Apple even called out a more seamless transition between Wi-Fi and cellular when moving between previously connected-to networks.
Better parental controls with Screen Time
Apple called out trust and safety during its keynote. One of the items that broad topic included was a redesigned Screen Time interface with better controls. If you’ve ever set up Screen Time for a child before, then you know it can be confusing.
The interface now includes a few big buttons, front and center, to take immediate action. One of those buttons is to pause activity. This should be a lifesaver for having kids take a break.
There’s also better control for which apps are allowed and a way for kids to ask to use certain websites.
A completely new Siri AI
The biggest wild card coming to iPhones this year will be Apple's new Siri AI. Much like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, Siri will now have a dedicated app that you can chat with the assistant. This includes history, so it doesn't need to start over each time you want help with a topic. The app will sync across your other Apple devices as well.
Of course, the most meaningful improvements to Siri are the better understanding and conversational abilities. The AI should be able to search across your device and the web to understand what you mean when you ask for pictures of your last vacation.
Apple has promised a revamped Siri in the past, so it's easy to be skeptical. The glimmer of hope comes from its partnership with Google. Under the hood are both Apple's and Google's Gemini technologies powering the new abilities.