Code recently discovered in Apple’s backend servers has revealed four new AI-powered features likely to make their way to the anticipated iOS 27 update. The new operating system is expected to be officially unveiled during the 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference, scheduled for June 8. These features, discovered by prominent tech developer Nicolas Alvarez and published by the Apple-focused specialist site MacRumors, cover multiple aspects of the everyday user experience.
These discovered areas include visual intelligence technologies, the Safari browser, and the digital Wallet app, pointing to a broader strategic push by Apple to embed AI capabilities into the core experiences of iPhones. This direction reflects the company’s desire to deliver a smoother, smarter user experience that keeps pace with rapid technological developments and meets the aspirations of users looking for devices that understand and anticipate their needs.
Visual intelligence revolution in iPhones
Two of the leaked features include fundamental upgrades to Visual Intelligence, the advanced camera-based recognition system first introduced with the iPhone 16 lineup. These upgrades can be summarized as follows:
- Food label analysis: The first feature will allow users to point their iPhone camera at any nutritional information label on food and beverages, and the system will instantly and accurately analyze its contents.
- Contact data scanning: The second feature lets users scan phone numbers and addresses printed on paper or cards so they can be directly and automatically added to the phone’s contacts.
The code points to potential and deep integration with the Health app, allowing users to log calories, macronutrients, and sugar intake consumed daily with ease. This shift will turn the smartphone into an integrated health tool helping users monitor their diet without manual data entry. Furthermore, the phone number scanning feature is a natural extension of the system’s current ability to recognize dates and add them to the Calendar app.
A smarter browsing experience with Safari
The third discovered feature targets the Safari browser, where AI will step in to automatically organize and name tab groups based on the content of the pages open within them. Some tech reports have illustrated how this feature works in practice: if a user has a set of tabs open related to traveling to Japan, booking hotels in Tokyo, and local tourist attractions, AI will group them under the name “Tokyo Trip”.
“AI will take over the task of automatically organizing the digital workspace, giving users a clutter-free browsing experience tailored to their immediate interests.”
Similarly, if a user is searching for various food recipes, the tabs might be grouped under “Dinner Ideas”. All of these operations will happen completely automatically without any intervention or manual input from the user, reducing visual clutter and speeding up access to the required information intelligently and effectively.
Digitizing physical cards via the Wallet app
The fourth discovery relates to the digital Wallet app, which is set to gain an exceptional capability to convert physical passes and tickets into modern digital versions. Users will be able to convert gym membership cards or event and concert tickets into digital cards by scanning the barcodes on them using the camera.
Experts noted that Google Wallet on Android already offers a similar capability, using advanced tech to identify the content of a card or pass and digitize it. However, Apple’s entry into this space will make the user experience more integrated within the company’s secure ecosystem, reducing the need to carry traditional wallets crammed with paper and plastic cards.
The future of the voice assistant and WWDC 2026
Despite the excitement surrounding these leaks, it is worth noting that none of these features have been officially confirmed yet by the relevant management. It also remains unclear whether all four features will be available with the initial release, or if they will arrive through a gradual rollout in subsequent sub-updates. These discoveries are primarily based on names spotted in code strings, meaning final implementation may differ slightly.
These leaks come as the company prepares to host a worldwide developers conference that appears set to be packed with modern technology on an unprecedented scale. The new update is also expected to bring a long-overdue overhaul to the voice assistant, including a dedicated chat app with a conversation history and the integration of external capabilities via a new extensions system. Moreover, on-screen awareness capabilities are expected to be provided, thanks to a strategic partnership with Google to power some advanced features using Gemini-based models. A developer beta is expected shortly after the keynote on June 8, with a public release to follow in September of the same year.
FAQ
When will Apple’s new features be officially announced?
The new operating system and its accompanying features are expected to be announced during WWDC 2026, scheduled for June 8, with a public release in September.
What are the most notable expected improvements in the camera and visual intelligence?
Improvements include the camera’s ability to read food labels to analyze calories and link them to the Health app, in addition to scanning printed phone numbers and addresses to save them directly to contacts.
How will Safari use AI in the upcoming update?
Thanks to AI, Safari will automatically organize and name tab groups based on their content, such as grouping search pages for tourist trips under a specific, appropriate name without manual intervention.
Will the voice assistant see developments in this update?
Yes, the voice assistant is expected to receive a comprehensive overhaul including a dedicated chat app with conversation history, as well as integration with external AI models like Google’s Gemini to boost its capabilities.
