Apple may still have a few surprises in store beyond what it revealed at WWDC 2026, with reports suggesting several major iOS 27 features remain under development and could debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 12 later this year.

According to recent reports, Apple is continuing to work on at least three significant additions to iOS 27 that were notably absent from its WWDC presentation.

If accurate, iOS 27 could become one of Apple's most compelling software updates in years, thanks not only to the features already announced but also to capabilities that have yet to be officially unveiled.

Three major features still in development

According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, internal versions of iOS 27 and watchOS 27 continue to support three previously rumored features that Apple did not mention during its WWDC keynote.

The first is a redesigned Camera app offering deeper customization options. The update is expected to provide a more professional and flexible photography experience for iPhone users through a significantly refreshed interface.

The second feature involves support for third-party AI chatbots within Siri. This could allow Apple's voice assistant to leverage external artificial intelligence models when handling more complex requests, significantly expanding the capabilities of Apple Intelligence.

The third rumored addition is a new modular watch face for Apple Watch. The design is reportedly inspired by the popular Modular interface available on Apple Watch Ultra but adapted for smaller Apple Watch models.

All three features had appeared in pre-WWDC rumors, leading many observers to expect their introduction during the conference. Apple, however, chose not to mention them.

It remains unclear whether the features were not ready for public release or whether Apple intentionally withheld them to create additional excitement around its fall hardware launch.

A familiar Apple strategy

Holding back certain software announcements until new hardware arrives would not be unusual for Apple.

Over the years, the company has frequently paired software innovations with new devices to create stronger marketing narratives and highlight the benefits of its latest products.

The new modular watch face, for example, could be positioned as a key feature of Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, even if it eventually becomes available to older models through watchOS 27.

A similar strategy could apply to the redesigned Camera app. If the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max receive significant camera hardware upgrades, Apple could showcase the new software experience as part of a broader next-generation photography platform.

The close integration of hardware and software has long been one of Apple's biggest competitive advantages, making a delayed announcement entirely plausible.

Siri AI could become far more powerful

Among the rumored additions, AI Extensions may be the most significant.

The system would reportedly allow Siri to access and work with third-party artificial intelligence models when necessary.

According to Gurman, Apple may have chosen not to discuss the feature at WWDC to avoid distracting attention from its core Siri AI improvements.

There is also the challenge of explaining how Apple's internal AI systems interact with outside partners such as Google.

The issue has already generated confusion among users. Some early testers of Siri's AI capabilities have praised the assistant's performance, while others have assumed the improvements are entirely powered by Google's Gemini models.

The reality appears more nuanced.

Apple has developed its own Foundation Models to power Apple Intelligence. While certain technologies may involve partnerships or integrations with external providers, the overall user experience remains under Apple's control and optimization.

That complexity may explain why the company has chosen a more cautious communication strategy for now.

Positive early reaction to iOS 27

Even without the three rumored features, early impressions of iOS 27 have been largely positive.

Users have praised additions such as the adjustable Liquid Glass intensity controls and the ability to set alarm volume independently from other system sounds.

While these changes may appear modest, they address everyday usability concerns that directly affect the user experience.

Many early observers believe iOS 27 feels more refined and cohesive than iOS 26, which was criticized by some users for introducing numerous changes that lacked consistency.

Whether Apple's rumored hidden features arrive this fall or later, iOS 27 is already shaping up to be one of the company's most closely watched software releases in recent years.

Hai Phong