As we move closer to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 8, the picture of iOS 27 is becoming much clearer. While many fans were hoping for a total visual overhaul, the latest leaks suggest Apple is taking a quality over quantity approach this year.
Internally, iOS 27 is being compared to the classic Snow Leopard update—a release famous for ignoring flashy new gimmicks in favor of fixing deep-rooted bugs and making the entire system run faster and more efficiently.
The End of the Line for iPhone 11
Perhaps the most significant news for long-time users is the updated compatibility list. According to verified reports, Apple is finally planning to drop support for the A13 Bionic chip.
If you are currently using an iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, or the 2nd Gen iPhone SE, you likely won’t be able to install iOS 27 this fall. The new software will reportedly require an iPhone 12 or newer. While these older phones won’t stop working overnight, they will miss out on the latest security patches and the AI-driven features that define Apple’s new direction.
Siri is Becoming a True Chatbot
The Siri we know is practically being replaced. Apple is building a dedicated Siri app that functions more like a chatbot, keeping a history of your conversations just like ChatGPT or Calude.
Instead of just responding to voice commands, Siri will live in a revamped Dynamic Island interface. When you trigger it, a new Search or Ask prompt will appear with a glowing cursor, signaling that the AI is ready for complex, back-and-forth tasks. Interestingly, Apple is also rumored to allow Extensions, meaning you could potentially swap Siri’s brain for Google Gemini or another AI if you prefer their results.
Satellite 2.0: Maps and Photos
Apple is also leaning heavily into its satellite partnership with Amazon and Globalstar. With the upcoming C2 modem expected in the iPhone 18 Pro, iOS 27 will unlock the ability to send photos via satellite.
This is a massive upgrade for hikers and travelers. Currently, satellite use is limited to emergency texts, but the new update will allow for real-time Apple Maps navigation and media sharing in areas where there is zero cellular signal. This move effectively turns the iPhone into a fully functional satellite communicator for the first time.
Liquid Glass and Visual Intelligence
On the design side, Apple is sticking with its Liquid Glass look but adding more control for the user. A new system-wide slider is expected that lets you adjust the transparency and blur of the entire interface.
Additionally, a new Visual Intelligence feature is coming to the Health and Wallet apps. This will allow users to scan physical items—like a nutrition label on a cereal box or a paper ticket for a concert—and have the iPhone instantly log the calories or generate a digital version of the card in your Wallet.
