Apple has opened the public beta of iOS 27, giving iPhone users outside the developer program their first chance to test the company’s most significant Siri overhaul to date. The release, which arrived this week, marks the largest real-world test yet of Apple’s AI-powered assistant and its bid to compete with tools like ChatGPT and Gemini.
What Makes Siri AI Different
The new Siri is built on Apple Intelligence and its next-generation Foundation Models, which run on-device and through Apple’s Private Cloud Compute system. Unlike the older assistant, Siri AI can hold ongoing conversations without users repeating context, search personal data across Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders and Calendar, and interpret what is currently on screen. It can also take actions inside supported apps.
Apple developed its Foundation Models in partnership with Google, drawing on Gemini in the process. However, the models were built specifically for Apple’s own chips using proprietary data rather than functioning as a rebranded version of Gemini.
A dedicated Siri app has also been introduced for users who prefer a chatbot-style interface, though the assistant remains deeply embedded across the rest of the operating system. The upgraded Siri extends beyond the iPhone to iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay, AirPods, Apple TV and Vision Pro.
Who Can Access the Beta
The Apple Beta Software Program is free and does not require a developer account. iOS 27 itself supports iPhone 11 and newer, including the second-generation iPhone SE. Apple Intelligence, however, requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later, and some advanced features, including expressive Siri voices, are limited to the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max or Air, or devices with more than 12GB of RAM.
Even eligible users will not see the full Siri experience immediately. Installing the beta initially retains the older Apple Intelligence interface, and users must join a waitlist through the Siri settings tab to unlock the newer Dynamic Island version. Developer testers reportedly gained access within 30 minutes to 72 hours after joining.
Siri AI currently supports only select English variants and will not be available in the European Union at launch.
Performance and Other Additions
Beyond Siri, Apple says app launch speeds have improved by up to 30 percent, AirDrop transfers are up to 80 percent faster, and new photos appear in the gallery up to 70 percent faster. These optimisations extend back to the iPhone 11, meaning older devices should also benefit from the update.
Safari now automatically organises tabs by topic and can generate custom extensions from natural-language prompts. The Photos app introduces three new editing tools: Clean Up for removing distractions from images, Extend for generating content beyond a photo’s original frame, and Spatial Reframing for adjusting camera perspective after a shot is taken. The Passwords app can automatically replace weak or compromised passwords, and Shortcuts now supports automation built from plain-language descriptions.
Family Sharing also receives updates, including a redesigned parental dashboard, category-based screen time allowances, flexible scheduling options, and expanded Communication Safety features that now flag violent content in addition to nudity.
Should Users Install It
Apple recommends installing beta software on a secondary device and backing up any primary iPhone before updating, since beta builds can introduce bugs, reduce battery life, and cause compatibility issues with third-party apps. Early testers have reported occasional errors, including instances where Siri misinterpreted search requests as contact lookups.
Reviewers who have used the developer builds describe this year’s beta cycle as more stable than in previous years, though caution is still advised for anyone relying on their device to function without issues.
The final version of iOS 27 is expected to ship in September alongside new iPhone hardware, bringing the completed Siri AI experience to the full installed base of roughly 2.5 billion active Apple devices worldwide.
