Your iPhone camera could get a huge AI upgrade in iOS 27

Apple’s next big iPhone software update could make the Camera and Photos apps a lot more powerful – and, surprise, surprise, a lot more AI-focused.

• Read more: iPhone 18 Pro Max leak shows a chunkier camera bump – and it might actually be a good thing

According to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, iOS 27 is set to introduce a slew of Apple Intelligence-powered features across photography, image editing, and automation when it’s unveiled at WWDC 2026 on 8 June.

The biggest reported change is a new Siri-powered mode built directly into the Camera app. Rather than hiding Apple’s Visual Intelligence tools behind the Camera Control button, Apple is reportedly adding a dedicated Siri option alongside existing modes like Photo and Video.

That would let you point your iPhone at an object, landmark, product, or anything else you’re curious about and have it analysed by an AI service, or potentially run through a Google-powered reverse image search. Apple is reportedly hoping the move will encourage more people to actually use its visual AI tools, while also helping prepare users for future camera-equipped products, including Apple’s rumoured smart glasses and camera-enabled AirPods.

The Camera app itself could also become much more customisable. Gurman claims that Apple is testing an Add Widgets panel that would let users swap out and prioritise different camera controls, including more advanced options like depth adjustments. Less frequently used tools such as timers or Night mode could also be repositioned to better suit individual shooting styles.

Elsewhere, the Photos app sounds set for an even bigger AI makeover, with two new editing tools reportedly called Reframe and Extend said to be in development. 

Reframe would reportedly let users alter the perspective of an image after it’s been taken, while Extend could use generative AI to create missing portions of a photo, effectively expanding the frame beyond what was originally captured. It sounds similar to image-expansion tools already available on some Android phones, including Google’s Magic Editor.

Apple is also reportedly testing natural-language photo editing. Instead of manually adjusting settings, users could simply tell the Photos app what they want done, such as cropping an image, changing colours, or making other edits through text or voice commands. Gurman notes that this feature may not be ready for the first version of iOS 27, though.

Elsewhere, the Shortcuts app is tipped for a major overhaul that would allow users to create automations simply by describing what they want in plain English. One example reportedly involves automatically starting a music playlist and sending a partner an ETA when driving home from work.

Apple is also said to be working on AI-generated wallpapers, a system-wide grammar checker, and a significantly upgraded Image Playground experience with higher-quality AI image generation and improved Genmoji features.

Of course, none of this is official yet. Bloomberg’s report is based on information from people familiar with Apple’s plans, and features can still change before launch. With WWDC 2026 kicking off on 8 June, though, we likely won’t have to wait long to find out how much of Apple’s next AI push actually makes it into iOS 27.

• Read more: We now know who will lead Apple into the future – and it’s great news for new products

Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.