iOS 27: The Best New Features Coming to Your iPhone

Apple's next major iPhone software update is almost here. The company has confirmed its September 9 event, where it is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 lineup and its first foldable iPhone. Shortly afterward, iOS 27 should begin rolling out to compatible devices.

Apple first previewed iOS 27 in June, while public beta testers have been able to explore many of its features since July. The update brings major developments in Apple Intelligence and Siri, along with a collection of smaller changes designed to make everyday iPhone use smoother.

Rather than focusing on one dramatic redesign, iOS 27 improves familiar parts of the iPhone experience. Here are some of the updates worth knowing about.

Smarter Siri and More Powerful AI Features

Apple Intelligence remains at the center of Apple's software strategy, and iOS 27 continues to expand what the technology can do.

Siri is expected to become more conversational and capable, making interactions feel less like issuing isolated commands and more like having an ongoing conversation. Apple is also introducing new AI-powered photo editing capabilities, giving users more ways to modify and improve images without relying on complicated editing software.

These are the features most likely to generate attention when iOS 27 launches, but some of the smaller improvements could have a bigger impact on everyday use.

More Control Over Your iPhone's Look

Apple is giving users greater control over several parts of the iPhone interface in iOS 27.

The Lock Screen receives new customization options, including the ability to adjust the size of the clock. Users can also control the intensity of Apple's Liquid Glass visual effect, making the interface feel more personalized.

The Weather app is receiving a broader update as well, with a more detailed experience for checking forecasts. Even the Timer gets a visual refresh, showing that Apple is polishing features people may use every day rather than focusing entirely on headline additions.

Messages, Copy and Paste, and Other Everyday Improvements

Some of the most useful iOS 27 changes are small enough that you could miss them during Apple's presentation.

Messages gets an adjustment to its sending interface, while copying and pasting text and images becomes more convenient. Apple is also adding greater flexibility to volume settings for different alarms, giving users more control over how individual alerts sound.

None of these additions fundamentally changes the iPhone. That is precisely why they matter. Removing one small annoyance from an action you perform dozens of times a day can make a software update feel surprisingly worthwhile.

Find My and AirPods Are Getting Updates

iOS 27 also improves Apple's wider device ecosystem.

Find My is getting better location-tracking capabilities, making it easier to keep track of compatible devices and connected products. As people increasingly own multiple Apple devices, having a reliable way to locate them becomes more valuable.

AirPods are receiving a particularly useful audio upgrade. iOS 27 introduces a three-band equalizer, giving users greater control over their listening experience. Instead of relying entirely on Apple's default sound profile, you will have more freedom to adjust the audio to your preference.

Preparing for a New iPhone? Think About Data Transfer First

The arrival of iOS 27 will coincide with Apple's next generation of iPhones, which means plenty of people will soon be setting up a new device. That is when data transfer becomes part of the conversation.

Moving to a new iPhone can mean bringing years of photos, videos, contacts, documents and other personal files with you. Apple's built-in migration tools are designed to make this easier, while Android users may already be familiar with solutions such as Smart Switch when moving between compatible devices.

Smart Transfer offers another option for managing the transition between devices. Its content transfer tools can help users move important files and information without manually rebuilding their digital lives from scratch. This can be particularly useful if you want to be selective about what comes across rather than copying every piece of old content to your new phone.

An upgrade is also a good opportunity to clean up. Before starting a transfer, remove duplicate photos, forgotten downloads and files you no longer need. That way, your new iPhone gets the important parts of your digital life without inheriting years of unnecessary clutter.

When Will iOS 27 Be Released?

Apple has not yet announced the exact public release time for iOS 27, but the software is expected to arrive shortly after the September 9 iPhone event and before the new iPhone models reach stores.

The core update should be available across a broad range of compatible iPhones, although some of the most advanced Apple Intelligence features may require newer hardware.

Is iOS 27 a Major Update?

In terms of sheer feature count, iOS 27 may not feel as dramatic as some previous iOS releases. Its strength is the combination of larger AI improvements with dozens of smaller refinements.

A smarter Siri, improved photo editing, a more customizable Lock Screen, a better Weather app, easier copy and paste, refined Messages controls, improved Find My functionality and a new AirPods equalizer all contribute to a more polished experience.

That may ultimately be the appeal of iOS 27. You do not necessarily need one revolutionary feature to make an iPhone feel better. Sometimes, it is the accumulation of small improvements that makes you notice the difference.