Apple rolls out huge iOS update today for millions but only these iPhones get Siri AI
It's the big one, and while Apple has changed its somewhat confusing iOS naming system to a new simplified one, iOS 27 is officially here. The problem is, not everyone will be able to make the most of it, with millions of iPhone users being locked out of its most advanced features.
Apple's recent 'Surprise and shine' event did far more than just announce the iPhone 18 lineup and long-awaited folding iPhone Duo, with iOS 27 confirmed for a wide rollout on September 14, 2026.
Those ever-helpful Apple leaks spoiled the surprise of iOS 27 well ahead of time, as well as what features are on the way. Unfortunately, millions of you will be missing out on Siri AI.
What iPhones are getting the Siri AI update?
It feels like Apple has been hyping its much-needed Siri overhaul, with the tech giant embracing a new AI era in partnership with Google Gemini. Announced as part of an early Apple Intelligence rollout, Siri AI was originally targeting a 2025 release. A series of hurdles forced Apple to push back the timeline, and customers were so vexed that they were 'mis-sold' iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models with a more advanced Siri.
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This led to a now-infamous $250 million class-action lawsuit.
While it's good news that Siri AI is finally here, regulatory issues in the European Union mean iOS 27 won't be rolling out the advanced AI assistant. More than this, because of compliance conflicts with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), Siri AI has been postponed indefinitely in the EU.
We unfortunately already knew this was coming, with a June 2026 announcement from Apple putting the blame firmly at the EU's door.
In a strongly worded post, Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, said: "We’re deeply disappointed that our EU users won’t have Siri AI on iPhone or iPad when we share our new software releases later this year. Our hope is to eventually bring Siri AI to the EU, and we will continue to engage with EU regulators on a path forward.
"However, their refusal to engage constructively on solutions that preserve privacy and security means we do not currently have a timeline for Siri AI’s availability on iOS and iPadOS in the EU."
Apple maintains that EU regulators didn't accept any of the solutions put forward, complaining that it supports 'other virtual assistants'.
For the foreseeable future, it looks like those in the EU won't be able to make the most of a souped-up Siri in their pockets.
What's new with iOS 27?
Don't worry too much, because iOS 27 is still packed with a whole host of other features that even those in the EU can enjoy. Sticking with AI advancements, Apple Intelligence has added new 'Extend' and 'Reframe' options to Photos, creating 'photorealistic' snaps via Image Playground. Visual Intelligence has been fully integrated, and when holding the Camera Control button to take a photo, you can get an immediate AI summary or visual search results.
The once-controversial Liquid Glass is also facing a revamp, with Apple hyping "more uniform refraction and improved contrast" alongside icons that are "sharper and more detailed."
It might only seem like a small thing, but you're over the Moon that there's a new slider that lets you control how clear or tinted your Liquid Glass overlay is.
There's even more going on under the hood, as iOS 27 is supposedly tinkering with speed across the operating system. Apps are apparently launching up to 30% faster, pictures in the Photos app library are said to load 70% faster, and AirDrop transfers are apparently a nippy 80% faster.
The update includes an iPhone Handoff feature that lets you switch between two iPhones while keeping the same number on both, you can share your location with someone for a specific amount of time in the Find My app, and Siri AI uses smart call screening to mimic a natural voice and ask unknown callers why they're phoning.
Only those in the USA can use the new Apple Cash bill-splitting feature, but it's not exactly the biggest part of iOS 27.
If you're itching to get the update, iOS 27 is available on the following phones from September 14: iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation and later).