WWDC26: Take a sneak peek at what the new iPhone system looks like this year
There are still about 10 days left until this year's Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The leaks about Apple's new operating system have become more and more comprehensive, and the outside world has almost "pieced together" this year's software landscape in advance.
This time, the core direction of the brand - new "27" series of systems is very clear: on the one hand, improve stability and experience details; on the other hand, promote the intelligent capabilities of AI and the system level.
It is worth mentioning that this WWDC will most likely be the last time Tim Cook, the current Apple CEO, presides over an Apple press conference.
Improved stability and minor interface adjustments
Whether you like the "Liquid Glass" or not, in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, especially macOS 27, the Liquid Glass won't be reduced, but at least it will be improved.
According to Bloomberg, the current Liquid Glass interface of iOS 26 is not the "complete version" that Apple initially expected. The next version will make more adjustments to balance transparency and readability.
Rendering drawn by Bloomberg
The logic and layout of the interface will also be adjusted. 9to5Mac reported that in iOS 27, Apple will recall the app bottom bar, and the overall logic will return to iOS 18, canceling the independent search button and other deformed tabs - this change has already occurred in the App Store app.
In addition to the visual improvements, Apple will also focus on optimizing the system's energy consumption and fluency. It is reported that engineers have combed through the system's underlying code from start to finish to seize any opportunity to improve performance.
In terms of support scope, iOS 27 may support up to the iPhone 12 series and iPhone SE 3. That is to say, the iPhone 11 series and earlier "4G" models will not be able to update to iOS 27.
Last week, Apple officially announced the upcoming new accessibility features. The screenshots also showed some very detailed UI adjustments in iOS 27:
- Unified the display style of the battery icon
- The microphone indicator has a halo
Image source: Apple
The camera app will also be the focus of the iOS 27 interface adjustment.
Bloomberg reported that the new camera app in iOS 27 will provide an "Advanced" tab, which can adjust depth of field and exposure control, and provide widget functions for "Basic", "Manual" and "Preset", as well as new grid and color scale functions.
Rendering drawn by Bloomberg
In addition to the advanced mode, the new camera app can also customize the interface. Users can choose whether to display function icons such as flash, exposure, and timer on the main interface.
The Wallet app will undergo a major update: users can create their own cards, but it only seems to support importing QR codes, not NFC card copying.
More of the spotlight at WWDC is reserved for AI.
Significant enhancement of Siri, Apple's AI is here this time
According to Bloomberg, iOS 27 will be a "concentrated realization" two years after the release of Apple Intelligence.
The grand promises about Siri made at WWDC 24 are likely to be fulfilled this time. AI capabilities such as cross - app information retrieval, screen content understanding, continuous operation execution, and deeper app function integration are no longer just empty words.
In the new accessibility features pre - announced by Apple, there is a new "Voice Control" function that allows users with physical disabilities to fully control their iPhones and iPads through voice. They can not only open apps but also perform more flexible and detailed operations, such as clicking on required buttons and files.
Image source: Apple
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman revealed that this auxiliary ability is essentially part of the new Siri capabilities in iOS 27. This most likely means that the new AI - powered Siri is really "ready".
In addition to fulfilling old functions, after collaborating with Google, Apple also plans to further transform Siri into a conversational robot similar to ChatGPT.
Siri will have an independent app and interact in a conversational form. It can interpret pictures and documents.
Rendering drawn by Bloomberg
In addition to network data, "SiriBot" will also extract users' local data, including notes, text messages, emails, contacts, calendar appointments, and reminders.
Siri will become more understanding of you. You can ask it about your free time when making arrangements and directly use network information to write emails and memos.
Although there is an independent app, users can still call up Siri as before through the voice command "Hey Siri" and long - pressing the power button.
Apple is testing several different design schemes for the new Siri to replace the glowing edge interface introduced in iOS 18. In one of the schemes, Siri will be integrated into the Dynamic Island and can expand into an input box.
Rendering drawn by Bloomberg
Apple has also designed a brand - new way to call up Siri: swipe down from the top - center of the iPhone to open a new search and inquiry interface. This interface features a "text input" Siri interaction method, while the notification center can only be opened by swiping down from the top - left corner of the phone.
This interface will be further integrated with Spotlight search, showing Siri suggestions, including eight commonly used apps, recent web searches, and functions such as recording voice memos. In addition, there is a panel for displaying morning and evening weather.
Users can open apps, send text messages, check the weather, add schedules, search memos, or use the new Apple AI search engine for web searches on this interface.
Apple has also been testing the integration of third - party AI into the Siri's underlying system. There will be a button and a menu on the Siri interface, allowing users to choose other AI services, such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini.
Beyond Siri, Apple Intelligence will further penetrate into more of Apple's first - party apps.
Camera
In addition to the custom and professional modes, the camera app will add a "Siri Mode", similar to Apple Intelligence's "Visual Intelligence" function, which is used to identify objects and perform real - time translation.
Rendering drawn by Bloomberg
Photos
In addition to the "Erase" function, Apple will further enhance the AI editing capabilities of the Photos app, introducing two functions: "Reconstruct" and "Expand". The former can change the perspective of the photo, and the latter is equivalent to AI image expansion.
Apple is also testing a photo - editing function based on natural - language prompts. Users can provide requirements through voice or text, and the AI will help complete the editing, such as cropping or changing colors. This function is unlikely to be launched with the first official version of iOS 27.
Rendering drawn by Bloomberg
Shortcuts
Shortcuts will have the ability similar to "vibe coding". Users can describe the desired functions in natural language, and the AI will automatically complete the setup and installation.
More AI functions
iOS 27 will also include AI wallpapers, a system - level AI proofreading tool, and a more powerful "Image Paradise" AI image - generation app.
In Apple's first - party apps such as Mail, Messages, and Safari browser, the regular search boxes are likely to be "empowered" by Siri to achieve more intelligent retrieval capabilities, similar to the Photos app powered by Apple Intelligence currently.
Rendering drawn by Bloomberg
In a sense, iOS 27 is a "return to the right track".
On the one hand, the adjustments to the "Liquid Glass" interface, large and small, have taken a year. Apple also introduced an option to reduce the effect. The styles of each platform are also different, and it has brought performance issues and many bugs.
On the other hand, the various functions of Apple Intelligence released two years ago were postponed and malfunctioned, causing a mess. The industry has also made rapid progress in the past two years, further widening the gap.
It is foreseeable that iPhones, iPads, and Macs will remain mainstream devices for a long time to come. Maintaining a good basic experience on these platforms is still very important.
Especially for older devices such as the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, iOS 27 is presumably a more suitable version for "retirement".
As for AI, it is more like a gesture of keeping up. These AI functions mostly follow the path that the industry has taken. Even if these leaks are finally implemented smoothly, and even if Apple may not be able to overtake and lead the industry, at least it will no longer be "lagging behind" and can stay in the game and continue to compete.
Readers interested in other content of WWDC26 can register on the official Apple Developer website and participate in online courses:
https://developer.apple.com/cn
This article is from the WeChat official account “ifanr” (ID: ifanr), author: Su Weihong, editor: Xiao Qinpeng. Republished by 36Kr with authorization.