Apple’s iOS 27 update is sharpening its AI edge with smarter Genmoji creation and a revamped Siri. This is not your usual emoji refresh.

Now, you can create Genmoji from existing emojis, photos, gallery tags, or even text prompts. The kicker: you can tweak your Genmoji on the fly by describing changes instead of starting over. Want a calico cat instead of orange? Just say so.

The new Genmoji defaults to a cute 3D cartoon style but lets you switch to sketch or drawing looks. The output is more consistent, trimming the guesswork out of the process. Apple quietly slipped this upgrade into the developer beta, so expect a wider rollout this fall.

But Genmoji is just one piece. iOS 27 folds AI deeper into the system, especially via Siri. The assistant is now powered by Google’s Gemini model, giving it more smarts and access to your first-party apps like Messages and Mail. Siri lives inside the Dynamic Island on supported iPhones, making interactions slicker and less intrusive.

Siri can now build shortcuts from plain English commands without manual scripting. It’s also getting a standalone chatbot app and the ability to connect with rival AI services through a new App Store Extensions system. Apple is finally opening the door for Siri to play nice with others.

Photo editing gets a hefty boost, too. The Photos app introduces AI tools like Extend and Reframe. Extend lets you stretch images by generating extra background, while Reframe shifts your spatial photos’ perspective. An AI-powered natural language editor lets you describe changes—like color tweaks or lighting fixes—and watch them happen.

The Camera app adds a Siri-powered mode that can identify objects, plants, or art and pull web info instantly. Apple’s pushing AI to make photography smarter without relying on third-party apps.

On the interface front, notifications get a cleaner redesign. Alerts now slide in from the top-left and vanish with a swift right swipe. Control Center stays put on the top-right, keeping the screen tidy and functional.

Wallet joins the AI party with tools for scanning QR codes, creating custom-colored passes, and splitting bills by turning receipt photos into Apple Cash requests. These small but useful features show Apple leaning into AI to simplify everyday tasks.

Developers get new APIs for foldable iPhone layouts, hinting Apple’s preparing for flexible screens. The first developer beta drops imminently, with a public beta soon after and a stable release expected by September.

iOS 27 isn’t just a minor update. It’s Apple doubling down on AI integration across the board—making Siri smarter, photos easier to edit, and custom emojis genuinely customizable. The company’s finally delivering on promises made two years ago, and the result is a more fluid, AI-augmented iPhone experience.