iOS 17: What to Expect at WWDC 2026 & Key Features

WWDC 2024 is just a few days away. We are all waiting to see the first look at iOS 17. Apple already teased some accessibility tools for Accessibility Awareness Day. Most of us expect this year to be about polish. It might not have as many flashy tools as before, but it should feel smoother.

We have gathered a lot of intel from official sources and leaks. This includes tips from MacRumors, Mark Gurman, 9to5Mac, and users on Weibo. We combined all these leaks into one guide so you know exactly what is coming.

The big theme for iOS 17 seems to be stability. Apple wants to fix the bugs that popped up in iOS 16. We also have to look at which phones will actually get the update.

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iOS 17: Supported Devices and Core Improvements

Not every old iPhone will make the cut this year. Rumors suggest Apple might drop support for the iPhone SE second generation. The iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max could also be left behind. Many users hope these stay on the list since iOS 17 is supposed to be a refinement update.

The focus this year is on making the phone feel fast again. iOS 16 brought great looks but also plenty of visual glitches. Users have seen some bugs that just won't go away.

Apple wants to clean up the code to make things snappy. We expect better battery life as a result. When the system runs more efficiently, your battery lasts longer.

Refined User Interface and Experience in iOS 17

Apple is tweaking how the OS looks. One rumor mentions a liquid glass slider. Right now, you can change your lock screen from clear to tinted in the Display and Brightness settings. Mark Gurman says this glass effect might move across the whole system. It would help people who want better legibility or a more modern look.

The home screen is also getting a needed fix. We might finally get undo and redo buttons. If you move your apps around and mess up, you could just tap undo in the top left. This saves you from having to drag every icon back to where it was.

Enhanced Multitasking and Productivity Features

Multitasking on the iPhone has always been a weak spot. A leak from Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo suggests new window adaptation. This could mean better landscape mode or even split-screen multitasking.

Some think this is for a future folding iPhone. But it could work for everyone. Imagine these setups:

Texting a friend while having your Notes app open.
Watching a YouTube video while typing a list.
Checking a map while reading an email.

AirPods users are also getting a win. Mark Gurman says a new AirPods menu is coming to Settings. It will make it easier to find features. We might even get a clear software update button for the buds.

Core App and System Updates in iOS 17

Apple already confirmed a few things during Accessibility Awareness Day. The battery icon is getting a redesign. The orange microphone indicator will also have a stronger glow. This makes it obvious when your mic is active.

Safari is getting smarter too. It may identify what is in your open tabs and name your tab groups for you. This is a feature Chrome already has. It keeps your browser from becoming a mess of random pages.

The keyboard is another area for growth. We expect better autocorrect so the phone stops changing words incorrectly. Some users are hoping for a permanent number row at the top.

A few other system changes include:

Moving search bars into the bottom tab bars for more apps.
Bringing the App Store's uniform look to other built-in apps.
Expanding subtitles to every video on the phone, not just the TV app.

Siri 2.0 and AI Integration in iOS 17

Siri is getting a massive overhaul. The new Siri 2.0 will look different. It will likely match the new Apple icon seen in the WWDC 2024 app. Instead of just a glow at the bottom, it will come down from the Dynamic Island.

You can wake it with the power button or by saying "Hey Siri." There might even be a gesture to pull down from the middle of the screen to type to Siri.

The intelligence is the real story here. Siri will understand what is on your screen. It might use Google's Gemini model for basic tasks on the device. For harder tasks, it will use Apple's private cloud compute. You can also choose to use ChatGPT. A new "Add to Note" command will let you save info instantly.

There are rumors of a standalone Siri Chat app. This would work like a messaging app with your AI. You could search old chats and sync them via iCloud.

Apple Intelligence is also expanding:

Image Playground will make higher resolution images.
Genmoji will get better.
You can generate custom wallpapers and share them with friends.
Writing tools will include a built-in grammar checker like Grammarly.

Camera, Visual Intelligence, and Photos App Overhaul

The camera is getting more pro tools. You will be able to swap the widgets at the top of the screen. You can drag and drop the tools you use most, like exposure or the timer.

Visual Intelligence is moving directly into the camera app. A Siri button will appear next to the photo and video options. You can use it to:

Scan phone numbers and addresses straight into contacts.
Scan food labels to send data to the Health app.
Scan physical membership cards into your Wallet.

The Photos app is also getting a boost. You will be able to extend photos past their original frame. You can even reframe a shot from a new angle. Apple is also working to fix the bug where AirDropped photos don't show up right away.

Lastly, the Wallet app will let you split restaurant bills with friends more easily.

App and System-Wide AI Enhancements

The Weather app is getting a new look. The current conditions view will be redesigned. It will work more like the maps, letting you toggle between rain, temperature, and air quality.

Shortcuts are becoming easier to use. Instead of building a complex chain of blocks, you can use natural language. You can tell the phone, "Turn off auto-brightness and turn on do not disturb for my recording," and it will build the shortcut for you.

The Calendar app will also get AI tools, though the details are still thin.

Accessibility and Connectivity Upgrades in iOS 17

Apple is making the iPhone better for everyone. Made for iPhone hearing aids will now hand off between your Mac, iPad, and iPhone. This makes them work just like AirPods.

VoiceOver is getting a live recognition mode. By pressing the Action Button, the phone will describe what is in front of it. The Magnifier tool will also let you ask questions about the objects you are looking at.

Voice Control now uses natural language. You can say "Tap the blue learn more button" or "Open the orange folder." The Accessibility Reader will also handle complex articles with tables and multiple columns without breaking the layout.

Other big wins include:

Name Recognition support for 50 new languages.
Support for the Sony Access controller on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Satellite connectivity for Maps and Messages, not just emergencies.

Final Thoughts

iOS 17 looks like a mix of smart AI and needed polish. Between Siri 2.0 and the Apple Intelligence tools, the phone will feel more like a personal assistant. The accessibility updates show that Apple is still focused on inclusivity.

The most important part remains the stability. We want a phone that doesn't glitch and a battery that lasts all day. If Apple hits those marks, this will be a great update.

What feature are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments. Be sure to subscribe for more tech updates!