iOS 27.3: New features, release date, more
Apple has released the first beta of iOS 27.3, introducing a broad selection of changes for iPhone users. The update revisits the Health app, expands Apple Intelligence, brings new options to Safari and Apple Music, and adds several improvements for the iPhone Duo.
When will iOS 27.3 be released?
Apple is expected to launch iOS 27.3 for the public during the first half of December. Although Apple usually releases an “x.2” update around that time, iOS 27.1 was limited to the iPhone Duo. As a result, iOS 27.3 effectively fills the role of this year’s major December update.
The final release date has not yet been confirmed, and additional features or changes may appear during the beta-testing process.
A redesigned Health app
The redesigned Health app returns with iOS 27.3 after appearing in earlier testing but being left out of the previous final release.
The app is now organized into three main sections: Insights, Longevity, and Browse. Its interface adapts more closely to a user’s health data and uses Apple Intelligence to surface relevant information.
The Longevity section introduces a Health Age feature. Using information from an Apple Watch, it estimates how a user’s health metrics compare with their actual age. Owners of Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 will also have quicker access to their daily Readiness score.
New Apple Fitness+ strength plans
Apple Fitness+ gains a Gym Strength feature designed around progressive four-week training programs. Plans can be adjusted according to a user’s goals, experience, schedule and available equipment.
The program also responds to workout data. Repetitions and weights recorded during one week can influence the exercises and difficulty suggested for the next week.
iPhone Duo improvements
iOS 27.3 adds Reachability to the iPhone Duo. The feature shifts content on the outer display toward either side of the screen, making distant controls easier to access with one hand.
Users can activate the function by swiping down from the right or left edge, depending on which side they want the interface to move toward. Reachability is enabled by default, but it can be disabled under Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Reachability.
The software keyboard has also been adjusted. The keys are slightly narrower and the typeface is a little smaller, creating more room on the display.
StandBy comes to more iPhones
The iPhone Duo’s expanded StandBy experience is being made available across other iPhone models. The update includes refreshed Analog and Digital clock faces, along with more control over colors and complications.
The Photos face also gains support for Shared Albums, giving users more options for the images shown while the iPhone is charging in StandBy mode.
Apple Intelligence and Siri enhancements
Apple Intelligence gains new actions across a range of Apple applications, including Calendar, Files, Journal, Mail, Maps, Messages, Music, Notes, Photos, Reminders, Safari, Shortcuts and Weather.
These capabilities allow users to make more natural requests, such as locating a previously visited coffee shop or finding files that have not been opened for a long period. Siri can provide suggestions for available actions when asked what it can do inside a particular app.
Apple is also beginning to test a way for third-party developers to connect their app content and actions with Siri through App Intents. The early developer preview is intended to support requests involving personal context, onscreen information and natural-language commands. Examples could include checking an order, arranging a booking or completing an in-app task.
Additional Siri language support is being introduced for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish.
Apple Intelligence expands in China
iOS 27.3 introduces the initial collection of Apple Intelligence tools in China. The rollout includes features such as:
- Live translation in Messages, FaceTime and Phone, including support for compatible AirPods
- Writing Tools and Visual Intelligence
- Clean Up in Photos
- Genmoji
- Natural-language photo search and prompt-based memory creation
- Priority messages, email summaries and Smart Reply
- Notification summaries and priority notifications
- A new Reduce Distractions Focus mode
- Audio transcription summaries in Notes
- Summaries of call transcripts
- Improved Type to Siri and better conversational context
Safari gets adaptive dark mode
Safari receives a new vertical tab layout for the inner display of the iPhone Duo. When enabled, tabs appear in a column along the left side rather than across the top of the browser.
The update also adds Adaptive Dark Mode. Safari can automatically apply a dark appearance to websites that do not provide their own dark-mode design. Users can enable the setting globally or activate it only for selected websites.
Apple Music karaoke videos
Apple Music introduces Selfie Sing, a feature that lets users record themselves while singing along to a song. After opening the lyrics view, a new camera button can be used to begin recording.
The update also makes several visual refinements to the lyrics interface when the iPhone is held horizontally.
Other changes in iOS 27.3
- Control Center can now switch between configured VPNs instead of only enabling or disabling the most recently used connection.
- A new “Use Global Privacy Control” option appears in Settings.
- Freeform adds tools for generating custom shapes and images.
What to expect next
iOS 27.3 remains in beta, so Apple may adjust or expand these features before the public release. The update is shaping up to be one of the more substantial iPhone software upgrades of the year, particularly for Apple Intelligence, Safari, Health and iPhone Duo owners.
