iOS 27 Is Out: New Siri, a Daily AI Limit and the Compatible iPhone List

Apple released iOS 27 to everyone on September 14, 2026 — five days after the “Surprise and shine” event and four days before the iPhone 18 Pro hits stores. The headline feature is the new Siri, rebuilt on top of AI models — but it ships with a detail that sparked debate: a daily usage limit, with a paid option for those who want more.

Quick answer: what is new in iOS 27?

iOS 27 brings the generative-AI Siri (with a free daily cap and the “Expanded Access” add-on for heavier use), Apple gift card redemption by tapping the back of the iPhone, an iPhone-to-iPhone Handoff feature limited to a few carriers at launch, and performance tweaks. The AI features require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer; the base OS goes all the way back to the iPhone 11.

The new Siri and the daily limit

After years of promises, the iOS 27 Siri holds conversations, understands on-screen context and takes actions inside apps. The twist is that Apple applies a daily quota to the heaviest AI requests. Once you hit the limit, you can wait until the next day or subscribe to “Expanded Access,” a paid add-on that raises the ceiling. It is the first time Apple has charged directly for a system feature — and a sign that running frontier AI is expensive, even for a company with its own chips.

Which iPhones get iOS 27?

Model	Gets iOS 27?	AI features (new Siri)?
iPhone 18 Pro / Pro Max / Duo	Yes (preinstalled; Duo ships with iOS 27.1)	Yes
iPhone 17, 17e, Air, 17 Pro	Yes	Yes
iPhone 16 (all)	Yes	Yes
iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max	Yes	Yes
iPhone 15 / 15 Plus, 14, 13, 12, 11	Yes	No (classic Siri)
iPhone XS / XR and older	No	No

Other features worth the update

Tap-to-redeem gift cards

Hold an Apple gift card against the back of the iPhone to redeem the credit — no code typing. Small, but handy.

iPhone Handoff (carrier-dependent)

The feature that moves calls and connectivity between devices debuts limited to T-Mobile (U.S.) and Deutsche Telekom (Germany). More carriers are expected later.

Free satellite access, extended

Apple extended free access to satellite features for iPhone 14, 15 and 16 owners.

Why this matters to you

If you own an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, iOS 27 is the update that finally delivers the Siri Apple promised — install it, but keep an eye on the daily quota before relying on it for work. If you have a standard iPhone 15 or older, you get the OS but not the new Siri: that is Apple’s strongest argument for upgrading in 2026. And as with every major release, waiting a few days for battery reports before updating your primary phone is a sensible move.

Frequently asked questions

When was iOS 27 released?

On September 14, 2026, for all compatible iPhones, going back to the iPhone 11.

Is the new Siri free?

Yes, with a daily usage limit. For heavier use, Apple offers the paid “Expanded Access” add-on.

Does my iPhone 14 get the new Siri?

No. The AI features in iOS 27 require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. The iPhone 14 gets iOS 27 with the classic Siri.

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