The revamped version of Siri coming to iOS 27 is expected to be embedded in far more apps than before, with the Camera app expected to receive an overhaul centered on AI.
Apple’s Visual Intelligence will be moved to the Camera app, where it will be available as a toggle alongside photo and video modes. As it currently operates, users can point at an object or scene and ask questions, but on iOS 27, this will go directly through Siri rather than a ChatGPT portal.
Apple is also expanding the number of scannable items, including nutritional labels on food packaging and contact details. These can then be uploaded directly to the relevant app.
Cameras are a key selling point of the iPhone, and Apple tends to highlight camera improvements at each iPhone keynote. Alongside adding AI to the Camera app, Apple is also planning to revamp the Photos app with more Siri integrations, according to a Bloomberg report, which should let users enhance and reframe photos using AI.
The revamped Siri has been delayed for a few months, as Apple has tried to build a virtual assistant capable of rivaling ChatGPT and other generative AI tools. The delay has put several other items on hold, as Apple wants the new Siri to become the central hub of the iOS experience going forward.
It will now debut at WWDC 2026, the company’s annual developer conference. Siri will be the main topic of conversation at the event, with most of the other updates expected to focus on optimizing and debugging the iOS experience. iOS 26 delivered a new design language, Liquid Glass, and Apple typically has a cleanup year after a major design shift.
Apple Siri, powered by Google
Alongside Siri playing a more prominent role on iOS, it will also be powered by Google rather than connected to ChatGPT.
Apple chose Google as its AI partner going forward, and is reportedly paying the search giant about $1 billion a year for Gemini. This is chump change for Apple, however, which receives an estimated $18 billion to $20 billion from Google every year to keep it as the default search engine on iOS.
When Apple committed to Google, it was riding high after a series of positive press cycles about Gemini’s performance and sophistication. Gemini 3 reportedly sealed the deal for Apple, alongside Google’s credentials, compared with two relative newcomers, OpenAI and Anthropic.
Google’s position might not be fully secure, however, as Apple is potentially looking to create an AI marketplace with several models available for iOS users. Commodifying the models may be one way for Apple to retain control, potentially allowing AI model makers to bid for a default position, similar to what Google does with search. It is unclear whether Apple has completely ruled out building its own in-house AI system to handle these tasks.
With the new CEO taking charge later this year, many things are in flux, but for now, it is taking a back seat, allowing AI developers to spend billions building these models.