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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 27.
- iOS 27 includes the new and improved Siri AI.
- Siri AI is the voice assistant I’ve been waiting for.
For years, I’ve been frustrated with Siri. That’s because Apple’s voice assistant has so often failed to respond correctly, especially when I’m driving and need directions and other help. And for years, I’ve been waiting for Apple to fix Siri’s flaws, only to be let down by empty promises. But now I’m finally getting my wish.
On Monday, Apple rolled out the first public beta of iOS 27 (along with iPadOS, MacOS, WatchOS, and more). That means the upcoming OS is now available for anyone to install and use. And with it comes the new Siri AI, which finally earns its place not just as a true assistant but one with the right level of AI smarts.
Also: How to download iOS 27 right now (and which iPhone models support it)
I’ve been using the new Siri AI with the iOS 27 developer beta for almost a month, both at home and in the car. I’ve also been turning to Siri in MacOS 27. And though there are rough edges, I’ve been impressed. The new Siri is certainly a dramatic improvement over the current version, not just with its skillset but with its greater accuracy and reliability.
Now that the public beta is available, anyone with a supported iPhone can take the new Siri for a spin. Since this is only the first public beta, it may still be buggy. That means you might not want to install it on your primary phone. In my case, I’m running it on a test iPhone 15 Pro. But I’ll be using that phone more frequently as my main device, especially in the car.
To install the public beta, head to Settings, select General, and tap Software Update. Select the Beta Updates option, then choose iOS 27 Public Beta. Allow the beta to download and install, and restart your phone. With the developer beta, you had to sign up for a waitlist to enjoy the new Siri. But with the public beta, you can dive right into Siri without waiting.
Also: Every iPhone model that supports iOS 27 (and which older ones don’t)
Keep in mind that you need the right iPhone model to support Siri AI and Apple Intelligence. That means an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, any iPhone 16 model, or any iPhone 17 model. The new Siri will also let you customize its voice and take advantage of more accurate dictation. But for those features, you’ll need an iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max or an iPhone Air. Come September, I plan to upgrade to an iPhone 18 Pro, so I’ll be able to use all the new Siri features.
7 reasons I’m celebrating Siri AI
With those requirements out of the way, here are some of the reasons I like the new Siri.
1. Better visuals
Instead of the glowing border that wraps around your iPhone screen, the new Siri displays a bubble at the top, which looks cooler and more clearly indicates that you’re in Siri mode.
2. Greater reliability
I’ve been using the new Siri with CarPlay in the car, and so far, it’s more reliable than the old Siri. Though it’s not quite there yet, it has managed to deliver the right results when I ask for directions while I’m driving.
For example, I often tell Siri to take me to the address of someone in my contact list by specifying the person’s name. Often, the old Siri doesn’t even review my contacts and instead gives me a list of web results. But the new Siri automatically chooses the correct person and location.
3. Less chatty
Some AIs tend to be chatty, trying to engage you in a long conversation. In contrast, Siri AI responds to your question or request without any chit-chat. That’s a refreshing change from what I get with ChatGPT, Copilot, and even Alexa+.
4. Dedicated app
iOS 27 includes a dedicated Siri AI app. With the app, you can submit requests by voice or by typing. The app also keeps track of your conversations, so you can easily view and return to any past chat. Plus, your conversations and other activity sync across all your Apple devices that have Siri AI.
5. Siri in the Camera app
With iOS 27, the Camera app adds a new Siri mode. Here, you can ask Siri to describe or answer questions about whatever you see through the camera. This taps into the Visual Intelligence feature introduced in iOS 18.2. But now you can more conveniently use it directly through the Camera app.
6. Get help with the current screen
Since Siri AI has on-screen awareness, it can help you with your current screen. For example, I opened a web page for Faneuil Hall in Boston and asked Siri to provide driving directions, to which it did via Apple Maps.
7. Find files
Siri AI can find specific files on your iPhone, including documents, photos, videos, and music. I asked Siri to show me photos of the film “A Trip to the Moon” from my photos library, and it found all the correct ones.
Also: Apple Maps vs. Google Maps: I used both navigation apps for years, and one is much better
There’s more to Siri and more to iOS 27. But needless to say, I’m excited to use them both on my iPhone. And I’m looking forward to the final release in September when I can run them on a brand new phone.
