[Digital Today reporter Yoonseo Lee (이윤서)] Apple has unveiled iOS 27 and signalled sweeping feature improvements for the iPhone. The update includes an upgraded Siri, automatic password changes, stronger photo-editing tools and performance improvements.

TechRadar reported on June 8 that the full version is scheduled for distribution in September, and a developer beta can still be downloaded now. A public beta for general users may be introduced in July, it said.

The biggest change is Siri AI, the voice assistant. Apple has floated the idea of a "personalised Siri" since 2 years ago, and it has now implemented it in earnest in iOS 27. Based on Apple's new foundation model, Siri AI understands users' personal context such as messages, emails and photos to craft responses. It can also be used in a dedicated Siri app, users can review past conversations, and chat history supports private syncing across devices via iCloud.

Siri AI is also being introduced in the Camera app. Users can use it to instantly check information related to what is shown on screen, such as the nutrition information of food. Apple said it will not provide Siri AI in the European Union due to the EU Digital Markets Act. The feature is set to be expanded in stages to the iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Vision Pro.

The Liquid Glass interface has also been improved. Apple added an opacity slider that allows users to adjust the strength of the glass-texture effect. This lets users finely tune transparency effects applied to tabs and menus.

In security, changes to the Passwords app stand out. Previously it only alerted users to passwords exposed to leaks, but in iOS 27 the app can automatically change and update passwords that are weak or exposed. The scope of support needs further confirmation.

The Photos app strengthens editing features based on generative AI. The existing "Clean Up" feature is improved to remove obstructions in photos more naturally. "Expand" extends areas outside the photo like Photoshop and fills empty space with AI. "Spatial Scene" uses an on-device spatial model to adjust a photo's perspective and composition.

Overall speed improvements are also included. Apple explained iOS 27 is faster than its predecessor due to bug fixes and performance improvements. The company said app launches are up to 30 percent faster, AirDrop transfers are 80 percent faster, and loading new photos in the Photos app improves by 70 percent. Perceived speed can vary by device, but the support range extends to the iPhone SE (2020) and the iPhone 11 series, so the changes could be meaningful for users of older devices.

The Screen Time parental-control feature will also be revamped. Safari adds a "request permission to browse" feature that requires parental approval when a child tries to access a new website. The "Communication Safety" setting in Screen Time more strongly blurs content that may include nudity, gore or violence. A "Time Allowance" feature that suggests usage time by app or app category based on age group is also expected to be added.

Shortcuts will also lower the barrier to entry. Shortcuts has been used by some as a useful automation tool, but its complex setup has limited broader adoption. In iOS 27, if users describe a desired task in natural language, the Shortcuts app automatically configures the required apps and system actions. For example, if a user types, "Send a message telling my friend the taxi's expected arrival time," it pulls up related apps and tasks to create an automated flow.

This iOS 27 is closer to an update that bundles a Siri overhaul, interface adjustments, security automation and performance improvements. The full release is in September, but after the July public beta, user responses are expected to diverge depending on how complete Siri AI feels, the EU exclusion policy and the extent of perceived performance gains on older iPhones.