Apple's main Camera app push for iOS 27 was about Siri AI, but it did include other changes. They're very small alterations, but they do exist.
The WWDC keynote didn't dwell for long on the Camera app in iOS 27. There was discussion about Siri AI being included, and that was about it.
There wasn't any other discussion about the Camera app's features or any other changes in the talk. Even the iOS 27 preview page on Apple's website talks about the Siri Mode and an improvement in how long shots take to reach your Photos library.
The lack of discussion of the Camera app outside of performance and Siri AI is still justifiable, as there's not really that much new with the Camera app at all.
An iOS 26 refinement
For iOS 27, Apple focused on a few key areas for the operating system as a whole. Aside from AI stuff, it concentrated on shoring up what already existed, improving performance and refining what was included in iOS 26.
To be fair, the iOS 26 Camera app was a complete overhaul of the imaging tool. As we discussed at length, there were massive changes in the way the app was presented to users, making it much more user-friendly.
The basic layout of the Camera app in iOS 26 [left] and iOS 27 [right]
There were major interface changes, making it a lot easier for content creators to change their video settings on the fly. The introduction of Liquid Glass also introduced a new way to access settings for the different modes, with more available to use without delving into the Settings app.
The year-ago update was major in many ways. By contrast, the 2026 update is positively minimal.
A tweaked interface
At first glance, you'll probably miss the changes, since the core elements are still in the usual places. The shutter button is bottom-middle with zoom levels above, a macro button to the left side, photos you've taken in the bottom left corner, and a front-rear switcher button in the bottom right.
The most obvious refinement is the model selector. Under iOS 26, you would see Video and Photo, but more will appear if you swipe the section left or right.
Video settings have shifted from the top in iOS 26 [left] to the bottom of the screen in iOS 27 [right]
The iOS 27 version differs in that it centers the section on your currently-selected mode, Photo when you're launching the app. Instead of seeing Video as the default alternate, you see the left and right options of the mode.
In my case, it's Video to the left of Photos and the first few letters of Portrait on the right.
It still expands the selector sideways when you start swiping, and you also have the full selection of modes as before. You're just prompted early that there's more available than Photo and Video.
Settings arrangement
The other main change is how you change the settings within each mode. Under iOS 26, the top of the app had a file selector element and shortcuts to commonly-changed settings, like the flash, as well as a grid menu for other settings at the bottom of the screen.
The iOS 27 refresh maintains the file format and shortcuts at the top of the screen, but this time in the center instead of the corners. The grid of settings options has instead migrated to the lower right corner of the screen.
Selecting it brings up the drawer of settings as usual, though again there are some tweaks.
For example, the settings in Photos includes the same items as last time, such as Flash, Live, Exposure, Timer, Syles, and Night Mode. But this time there are extras, including Depth, Format, Level, and Grid.
Changing settings in iOS 27's Camera app
These latter two elements simply add and remove the level and grid from the screen. The Format duplicates the function of the Format button at the top of the screen.
Format, Grid, and Level also join the Video settings tray, too.
Another refinement is that every settings-related box appears at the bottom of the screen. Last time, elements like the format selection panel appeared at the top, but now everything is unified at the bottom of the screen.
The change is useful for mobile photographers and videographers who are used to using their thumb for everything. You can now set up practically any setting you want using just one hand.
Of course, you can find many other settings within the Settings app. However, again, it seems that there's no real change from what was available before.
Siri Mode, or not
The sole major feature change to the Camera app is the involvement of Siri. Confirming rumors before WWDC, Apple has incorporated Visual Intelligence into the Camera app, in the form of Siri Mode.
The idea is that, like Visual Intelligence, you can take a photo of something and ask a question. Siri would ponder about what it sees, and give you a response.
However, rather than being a separate item of iOS, users can instead trigger it from within the Camera app itself.
The general idea is to make it easier for users to access the mode. Instead of hiding it away with the Camera Control or Action button, there's instead a software button within the Camera app that does the same thing.
At least, that's what should be there. At this very early stage, very few people have access to the new Siri AI upgrade, which Siri Mode uses.
There is currently a waitlist that developer beta users have to sign up for, if they want to try out the new Siri AI functionality. While we don't know how long it will take for Apple to allow everyone on that waitlist access, it's a safe bet that the list is very, very long.
In the meantime, Visual Intelligence acts as normal, but there's no new button to play with just yet.
We will revisit this article once the waitlist for Siri AI opens up to users. There's a lot of Siri AI and Apple Intelligence discussions yet to be had between now and September.
A better camera app without its brain
As part of the first developer beta, it's safe to say that the Camera app hasn't gone through a groundbreaking change. You're not going to find new features or changes compared to the iOS 26 version.
Heck, even the all-singing, all-dancing Siri Mode is absent for many beta testers at this time.
What has changed is that the groundwork laid in 2025 has been refined. You're not losing features, but the arrangement has been tweaked so you can get to the features you want to change a little bit quicker.
If you want new features in photography, you really should check out the Photos app. AI is a major element in that app, including a new Spatial Reframe function for 2026.
As it stands right now, the new Camera app in iOS 27 is less of an overhaul, more of a glow-up.
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