With the debut of iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max and the foldable iPhone Duo, Apple has also unveiled many software-side new features. Cupertino has confirmed that iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 will arrive on September 14, in tandem with macOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27 and visionOS 27.
The two operating systems share a redesign of the interface, but the most notable change concerns Siri, which radically changes its form and capabilities on iPhone and iPad.
Siri becomes a stand-alone app on both operating systems, which allows for the first time to consult previous conversations. The new assistant understands better the user’s personal context, what is displayed on the screen at that moment, and information from the web, to support more natural and articulate conversations.
Behind this evolution lies an integration between Apple’s core models and Google Gemini, designed to handle more conversational requests and maintain context across interactions. Apple notes two distinct limits for this feature, both to keep in mind.
The first concerns hardware: compatibility with iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 does not automatically guarantee access to all features, as some AI-powered capabilities require newer devices.
The second concerns language and market: the new Siri will be available initially only in English, with arrival expected by the end of the year, and will not be available at launch in the European Union on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
The Liquid Glass interface introduced in previous versions is refined with a slider to adjust transparency levels and a more uniform refraction, for better contrast across the system. The app icons are also sharper and more detailed on both operating systems.
On the performance front, Apple states up to 30% faster app launching and quicker photo loading in the library.
On iPad, web browsing and data transfers reach up to 5x faster, while on iPhone AirDrop is up to 80% faster, with a smoother handoff between Wi‑Fi and cellular connections on both devices.
Among other features shared by the two operating systems include a smarter search within Mail, more detailed image descriptions for VoiceOver, subtitles with automatic synchronization and integrated translation, and the ability for Android and Windows users to contribute full-resolution photos and videos to iCloud Shared Albums.
On the photo editing front powered by Apple Intelligence come Spatial Reframing to adjust the composition of a shot after it was taken, the Extend tool to widen the image field, and an updated Clean Up to remove larger objects from the scene.
Also included is a package of safety features for younger users, including Guided Setup to let parents decide which system apps to make available, the quoted “Ask to Browse” feature to authorize new websites, and customizable time limits for app categories.
Beyond the updates shared with iOS 27, iPadOS 27 introduces some features designed specifically for the iPad’s larger screen. Multitasking and window management are optimized to make better use of the available space, while the Calendar app allows describing an event in words to have it added or updated automatically by the system.
Also added is a feature to organize photos and videos into slideshows with customized transitions and a soundtrack, aimed at users who also use iPad as a presentation tool. File transfers on iPadOS 27 are also up to 5x faster than previous OS versions.
For all the news on the brand’s ecosystem, find our latest articles in the Apple section of GizChina.it.
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