Apple tipped to bring major AI and AirPods changes with iOS 27 at WWDC 2026
Apple is reportedly planning AI, AirPods, and streaming upgrades for iOS 27 ahead of WWDC 2026.
Apple is expected to unveil several major updates for iPhone users during its Worldwide Developers Conference on 8 June, according to new reports ahead of the annual event. The company is said to be preparing improvements focused on artificial intelligence, AirPods functionality and wider support for third-party streaming systems in Europe.
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The claims come from Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, who has a strong track record for reporting on Apple’s future software plans. His latest report suggests Apple is preparing significant upgrades for iOS 27 as the company continues to expand its Apple Intelligence platform and respond to growing competition from rivals such as Google and OpenAI.
WWDC has become one of Apple’s most closely watched events, particularly as the technology industry continues to invest heavily in generative AI features. Industry observers expect AI to dominate much of this year’s announcements, with Apple under pressure to demonstrate that its software can match the capabilities of competing platforms.
Apple Intelligence is expected to receive major improvements
One of the biggest reported changes involves Apple’s AI image generation tools. Gurman said the image-generation features in Apple Intelligence are set for a “big boost” in iOS 27, suggesting Apple is looking to close the gap with rival AI systems.
At present, Apple’s Image Playground app offers fewer creative options than competing services such as Gemini and ChatGPT. Users currently have fewer editing tools and visual styles available when creating AI-generated images on iPhones and iPads.
According to the report, Apple plans to improve those capabilities significantly in the next version of iOS. Although specific details have not yet been confirmed, the company is believed to be working on more advanced image generation tools and broader creative controls.
Artificial intelligence is also expected to play a larger role across other parts of the operating system. Previous reports have suggested that Apple could introduce natural language support in the Shortcuts app, allowing users to create automations with conversational commands instead of manually configuring actions.
Industry speculation has also continued around the long-awaited overhaul of Siri. Rumours indicate Apple may finally introduce a more advanced version of its voice assistant with improved conversational abilities and smarter responses powered by modern AI models.
Reports have suggested that the upgraded Siri experience could put Apple on a more competitive footing with AI systems from Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic’s Claude platform. Some reports have also claimed that Apple may use Google’s technology support to strengthen certain AI features.
AirPods settings overhaul reportedly planned
Apple is also expected to introduce changes to improve the AirPods user experience. Gurman reported that the company plans to “revamp” the controls and settings menus linked to its wireless earbuds.
While Apple reportedly has no plans to launch a standalone AirPods app similar to the Apple Watch app, the updated menus are expected to offer a cleaner and more organised interface. The changes are said to make the settings easier to navigate while improving overall usability.
The current AirPods settings are integrated into the main iPhone settings menu and can sometimes be difficult for users to find or customise quickly. A more streamlined approach could make it easier for users to manage audio settings, gestures and device controls.
Although Apple has not publicly discussed any AirPods software updates ahead of WWDC, the earbuds remain one of the company’s most popular products. Any usability improvements are likely to attract attention from existing users, particularly as wireless earbuds become increasingly central to everyday smartphone use.
The reported changes also fit within Apple’s broader strategy of refining software experiences across its ecosystem rather than introducing entirely separate apps for each accessory. By redesigning existing menus, Apple could improve functionality without significantly altering iOS’s current structure.
The company has increasingly focused on making its products work more seamlessly together, and software updates for AirPods are often closely tied to wider iPhone updates announced at WWDC.
Apple faces pressure over openness and regulation
The third major reported update involves changes linked to European Union regulations. Apple has faced increasing pressure from European regulators in recent years to make iOS more open to competing services and platforms.
This pressure has already resulted in major changes, including support for alternative app stores on iPhones within EU countries. According to Gurman’s report, Apple may now allow users to choose third-party streaming protocols as their default, rather than relying solely on AirPlay.
If implemented, the feature would allow alternatives such as Google Cast to function as the native system for streaming audio and video content between devices. This would represent another significant shift away from Apple’s traditionally closed ecosystem.
The move could provide users with greater flexibility, particularly those who already use smart TVs, speakers and streaming devices built around Google’s ecosystem or other competing technologies.
Apple has not confirmed the reported changes, and the company traditionally keeps upcoming software announcements secret until WWDC presentations begin. However, the company is expected to focus heavily on demonstrating how its software is evolving amid growing competition and increased regulatory scrutiny.
This year’s WWDC is also expected to carry additional significance for Apple leadership. Reports suggest it could be the final WWDC overseen by chief executive Tim Cook before Apple hardware chief John Ternus reportedly takes over the role in September.
