WWDC 2026: Everything announced on Siri AI, iOS 27, Apple Intelligence and more

Overview

At its 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple rebuilt Siri on Google Gemini models, turning the assistant into a more conversational and visually aware tool with its own standalone app. The company also detailed iOS 27, supporting every iPhone from the iPhone 11 onward, and spread new Apple Intelligence features across Safari, Messages, Photos, and the Phone app. The event was Tim Cook's final WWDC as chief executive before he hands the role to hardware chief John Ternus.

Key Takeaways

Apple rebuilt Siri on Google's Gemini model family, the clearest sign of a reset in its artificial intelligence strategy.
Siri gains a dedicated standalone app alongside its existing integrations across the operating system.
iOS 27 supports every device from the iPhone 11 onward, which Apple described as its broadest release ever.
New Apple Intelligence features reach Safari, Messages, Photos, the Phone app, and system-wide dictation.
The conference was Tim Cook's final WWDC as CEO before John Ternus takes over on September 1, 2026.
Outside reporting, confirmed by Google Cloud, puts the Gemini Siri model near 1.2 trillion parameters and Apple's annual payment to Google around $1 billion.

Stats & Key Facts

#iOS 27 supports every iPhone from the iPhone 11 onward, the widest device reach of any iOS release.
#New photos appear up to 70% more quickly in the Photos app.
#AirDrop transfers run 80% faster than before.
#Reporting puts the custom Gemini-based Siri model near 1.2 trillion total parameters.
#Several reports estimate Apple's payment to Google at about $1 billion per year for the arrangement.
#Tim Cook hands the CEO role to John Ternus on September 1, 2026.

Siri Rebuilt on Google Gemini Models

The headline change is a new foundation for Apple's longstanding assistant.

Apple said its next generation of Apple Foundation Models, the technology behind Apple Intelligence, was built in collaboration with Google and the Gemini family of models. Siri itself now runs on Gemini, making it more conversational and better at visual intelligence.

The assistant also gets a dedicated standalone app that sits alongside its existing integrations across the operating system. This marks a clear reset of Apple's artificial intelligence strategy after years of building primarily in-house.

iOS 27 Reaches Every iPhone From the iPhone 11 Onward

Apple positioned the update as the broadest release in its history.

›iOS 27 supports every device from the iPhone 11 forward, which Apple said reaches more users than any prior iOS version.
›New photos appear up to 70% more quickly in the Photos app.
›AirDrop transfers run 80% faster than before.
›Improved CPU schedulers aim to make multitasking smoother.

Apple Intelligence Features Spread Across Built-In Apps

The new AI tools touch several core apps rather than living in one place.

›Safari adds smarter tab management and one-tap password updating.
›Messages picks up AI-generated reply suggestions.
›The Phone app pulls relevant details from Mail and Messages during calls.
›System-wide dictation now corrects spelling, punctuation, and capitalization automatically and trims filler words.
›The system gains cross-app context awareness so features work together.

New Photos App Editing Tools Powered by AI

Apple's Photos app gained several generative editing features.

›A spatial Reframe feature adjusts image perspective.
›An Extend tool expands images to fit new aspect ratios.
›An upgraded Cleanup tool removes objects with improved generative fill.

Liquid Glass Design Becomes Adjustable

Apple responded to feedback on its translucent interface look.

After mixed reactions to the Liquid Glass design, Apple added controls that let users dial the visual effect up or down to taste. App icons also move to a new layered approach built around the same look. The change gives people who found the original treatment distracting a way to soften it without abandoning the new style.

Reported Model Size and Cost of the Google Deal

Some of the most striking numbers come from outside reporting rather than Apple's own statements.

Apple did not disclose the size of its Gemini-based Siri model or the financial terms of the partnership on stage. Multiple outlets reported the model runs near 1.2 trillion total parameters and that Apple pays Google around $1 billion per year for the arrangement.

These figures come from reporting, not Apple, and Apple rarely confirms commercial terms. The deal itself was confirmed publicly by Google Cloud chief executive Thomas Kurian, lending weight to the partnership even as the exact numbers remain estimates.

Tim Cook's Final WWDC and a Leadership Handoff

The event doubled as a leadership milestone for Apple.

›The keynote was Tim Cook's last WWDC as chief executive.
›Hardware engineering chief John Ternus takes over as CEO on September 1, 2026.
›Apple framed privacy as central, with Craig Federighi telling the audience that privacy in AI is non-negotiable.

Parental Controls, App Store, Shortcuts, and Health Additions

Apple rounded out the event with a set of smaller updates.

›New parental controls add age-appropriate content suggestions.
›The App Store gains subscription bundles and personalized recommendations.
›Shortcuts can now be created using natural language through AI.
›Health tracking expands to cover perimenopause and menopause.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest change Apple announced at WWDC 2026?

Apple rebuilt Siri on Google's Gemini models and gave the assistant its own standalone app. The move signals a reset of Apple's artificial intelligence strategy around a partnership with Google.

Which iPhones support iOS 27?

iOS 27 supports every iPhone from the iPhone 11 onward. Apple described it as available to more users than any iOS release before it.

How much faster are Photos and AirDrop in iOS 27?

Apple said new photos appear up to 70% more quickly in the Photos app, and AirDrop transfers run 80% faster than before.

Did Apple confirm the cost and size of the Gemini Siri model?

No. Apple did not state the financial terms or model size on stage. Outside reporting estimates the model near 1.2 trillion parameters and the annual payment to Google at about $1 billion, and Google Cloud confirmed the partnership exists.

Who is becoming Apple's next CEO?

Hardware engineering chief John Ternus takes over as chief executive on September 1, 2026, succeeding Tim Cook. WWDC 2026 was Cook's final conference in the role.

WWDC 2026 reframed Apple's AI plan around Google's Gemini while detailing a broad iOS 27 release, and it closed Tim Cook's run as chief executive ahead of John Ternus taking the role.