iOS 27 Is Almost Here: iPhone Handoff, Siri AI, and Every Big Feature Landing September 14

Apple's next major iPhone software update, iOS 27, is days away from its public release — and a brand-new feature just surfaced that could change how millions of people use two iPhones.

On September 2, a MacRumors forum member shared a hands-on video demonstrating "iPhone Handoff," a previously unannounced iOS 27 capability that lets a single phone number jump between two iPhones. Combined with the newly confirmed September 9 Apple event and a widely expected September 14 release date for iOS 27, this is shaping up to be one of the busiest software launches in Apple's recent history. Here is everything you need to know before the update lands.

iPhone Handoff: Two iPhones, One Phone Number

Apple briefly teased iPhone Handoff on a single slide during the WWDC 2026 keynote in June — one item on a list of hundreds of features — and never elaborated. Now, a video shared on the MacRumors forums (created using two simulated iPhones in Xcode 27's Device Hub, the developer tooling used to test the next OS) reveals exactly how the feature works.

iPhone Handoff lets users run the same phone number on two iPhones simultaneously and switch between them at will. During setup in Settings > Cellular, you designate one device as the main iPhone and the other as the companion device. The user's primary eSIM stays on the main iPhone, while the companion iPhone receives a companion eSIM tied to the same number. All cellular settings are managed from the main device, and location sharing follows whichever iPhone is actively using the number at that moment.

There are two important caveats. First, iPhone Handoff requires two iPhones both running iOS 27. Second, it appears to depend on carrier support rather than working purely in software; the forum post suggests T-Mobile in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom in Germany could be among the first carriers to offer it. Expect Apple to officially detail rollout plans, carrier partners, and any data-plan implications when the update ships later this month.

iOS 27 Release Date: September 14, One Week After the Big Event

Apple has officially announced its September event for Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. PT, where it is widely expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the company's first foldable device, reportedly named iPhone Ultra — a 7.7-inch folding phone with a 5.3-inch outer display and a Touch ID power button. iOS 27 is expected to be tailored for that foldable hardware, with side-by-side apps and iPad-like multitasking.

Following the established pattern of the last several years, the final version of iOS 27 is expected to roll out roughly a week after the event — with Monday, September 14, 2026 widely cited as the release date. That timing aligns with the update's long beta cycle, which began at WWDC and has now reached its eighth developer beta:

Siri AI: The Update's Flagship Upgrade

While iPhone Handoff is the freshest news, the biggest reason most people will upgrade is Siri AI — a complete rebuild of Siri powered by generative AI, with models developed in collaboration with Google and running on Apple's Private Cloud Compute infrastructure. Siri AI holds natural, multi-turn conversations, draws on personal context from Messages, Mail, Photos, and Notes, understands what is on your screen, and can perform complex actions inside apps, such as adding events to Calendar or building playlists in Apple Music.

iOS 27 also introduces a dedicated Siri app that syncs conversation history across devices via iCloud, integrates Siri into the Dynamic Island, and replaces Spotlight swiping with a system-wide "Search or Ask" interface. Note that Siri AI will not be available at launch in the European Union or China while Apple works through regulatory requirements, and it will debut as an English-language beta later this year — with a caution that early beta testing has shown server reliability and accuracy issues Apple still needs to iron out.

Everything Else New in iOS 27

Beneath the AI headlines sits a remarkably broad update. Apple says apps launch up to 30% faster, photos load up to 70% faster, and AirDrop transfers are up to 80% faster. The Liquid Glass design language gets a transparency slider, and a new battery icon debuts. Here is the rest of the notable feature list at a glance:

Two smaller changes hint at where Apple is heading. More apps — including Health, Home, Music, and Weather — now work properly in landscape orientation, and the Home Screen supports extra-large widgets. Those adaptations are widely read as groundwork for the foldable iPhone Ultra, which could arrive alongside iOS 27 later this month, with early leaks pointing to an A20 Pro chip up to 18% faster and 30% more power-efficient in the iPhone 18 Pro.

Which iPhones Support iOS 27?

Good news for owners of older devices: iOS 27 keeps support for every iPhone that runs iOS 26, meaning anything with an A13 Bionic chip or newer — from the iPhone 11 (2019) and iPhone SE 2 onward. The catch is that Apple Intelligence features, including much of Siri AI, require an A17 Pro chip or newer, effectively iPhone 15 Pro and later. A few extras, like custom Siri voices, go further and need the A19 Pro chip found in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air.

iOS 27 FAQ

When will iOS 27 be released?
Apple is expected to release the final version of iOS 27 on Monday, September 14, 2026, one week after its September 9 product event.

What is iPhone Handoff in iOS 27?
It is a new feature that lets you use the same phone number on two iPhones at once — a main device holding the primary eSIM and a companion device using a companion eSIM — so you can switch between them freely.

Which iPhones can run iOS 27?
Any iPhone with an A13 Bionic chip or newer, from the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE 2 onward. Apple Intelligence features require iPhone 15 Pro or later.

Is Siri AI available everywhere?
Not at launch. Siri AI will not be available initially in the European Union or China, and it launches as an English-language beta later this year.

Will iOS 27 support the foldable iPhone?
Yes, according to reports. iOS 27 is expected to be tailored for the rumored iPhone Ultra foldable, with side-by-side apps and iPad-like multitasking.

The Bottom Line

iOS 27 arrives with something for nearly everyone: a genuinely rebuilt AI assistant in Siri AI, an unusually deep batch of quality-of-life upgrades, and now a clever dual-iPhone feature in iPhone Handoff that could be a game-changer for anyone juggling a personal and work device. Between the September 9 event, the likely September 14 release, and the possibility of a foldable iPhone running the same software, the next two weeks will be the most eventful stretch of Apple's year. Mark your calendar — and keep an eye on carrier announcements for iPhone Handoff once the update ships.