Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off on June 8 at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. It’s Apple’s big annual software event that is geared toward developers, but still gives us an idea of new hardware and software to come.
At this year’s keynote, the company is expected to unveil new software upgrades, including iOS 27, MacOS 27, iPadOS 27 and WatchOS 27. Apple’s unlikely to announce any new hardware like the rumored iPhone Fold, but we might see new iOS features that would be particularly nice to see on a foldable phone. It’s entirely possible Apple Intelligence could be at the center of it all. But the breakout star of WWDC 2026 will likely be a revamped Siri that doubles as Apple’s AI chatbot.
Apple’s WWDC also comes following an eventful first few months of 2026. In March, Apple unveiled new hardware, including the budget-friendly MacBook Neo and iPhone 17E, as well as new MacBook models powered by the M5 chip for improved performance.
WWDC will also likely be the final major Apple keynote helmed by CEO Tim Cook, who will be stepping down on Sept. 1. John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, will then become the company’s CEO just in time for the company’s presumed iPhone announcement in the fall.
Since Apple is full of surprises, nothing’s guaranteed, but with the big event less than two weeks away, we’re unpacking everything we expect to see.
- WWDC will kick off June 8 at 10 a.m. PST in Apple Park in Cupertino, California.
- New devices aren’t expected at WWDC, but there’s a rumor that Apple’s first foldable phone could launch later this year.
- iOS 27 could include a major Siri update with AI features.
How to watch Apple’s WWDC
You can catch Apple’s WWDC keynote on June 8 at 10 a.m. PST. WWDC will stream on Apple’s website, Apple TV, the Apple Developer app and Apple’s official YouTube channel. We’re expecting to hear from Apple’s team, including Cook, one last time as Apple’s CEO.
A revamped Siri
Last year, iOS got a major redesign with Liquid Glass. But another big change is expected this year — Siri could be getting a makeover.
Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that Apple was testing a standalone Siri app. The rumored overhaul of Siri could mean a button to “Ask Siri” and a standalone Siri app could make the voice assistant more prominent on Apple devices. Siri could also be Apple’s AI chatbot (which could be powered by Google Gemini). If that’s true, Apple’s known voice assistant could be more powerful with generative AI features across iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and MacOS 27.
Siri aside, we could also see an update to the camera with Visual Intelligence AI-powered features for photo and video modes.
Watch this: The New Gemini Isn’t the Siri We Need
MacOS 27
Some of the highly anticipated features we may see in iOS 27 could also be available for MacOS 27 — like a standalone Siri app and built-in Apple Intelligence features. But since MacOS Tahoe is the last operating system to support Intel Macs, we may get a glimpse of what changes we can expect now that Apple Silicon microchips will be required for updates.
Have an idea of what Apple will announce? Play CNET’s Big Guessing Game for a chance to win.
iPadOS 27
There’s not much we can say about iPadOS 27 right now. We’ll have to see what new features come with the rumored iPadOS 27. Last year, Apple announced iPadOS 26 features, including a new menu bar for apps, the Liquid Glass redesign and Apple Intelligence features like live translation, text summaries and Image Playground updates with ChatGPT. If we see Apple Intelligence and Siri updates in iOS 27, we hope they will be available in iPadOS 27.
Watch this: iPadOS 26 Almost Turns Your iPad Into a Mac
WatchOS 27
Apple hasn’t shared whether the new WatchOS 27 will focus more on features or aesthetics. The new WatchOS could be a slimmed version of the Watch Ultra’s face, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Instead, the watch face could be simpler, like a massive clock with three complication options. But we’ll have to wait to see. Even though WatchOS 27 could be coming soon, WatchOS 26.5 will be a new Pride Luminance watch face and matching band for Pride month in June.
VisionOS 27
We likely won’t see new Vision Pro hardware until 2028, according to Gurman. Apple’s mixed-reality headsets — the Apple Vision Pro (M2) and (M5) are currently available.
Apple announced new accessibility features for its hardware, including some exclusive to the Apple Vision Pro, in a May press release. The Apple Vision Pro will be able to control compatible wheelchairs using your eyes later this year. On-device speech recognition for generating subtitles will also be available on Apple devices, including the Apple Vision Pro. The headset will allow facial gestures for actions and the selection of elements with your eyes. And if you use the Apple Vision Pro as a car passenger, the headset’s Vehicle Motion Cues can reduce motion sickness, Apple says.
Otherwise, Apple’s been pretty tight-lipped about any software updates, so we’ll have to see what else is in store at WWDC.
Watch this: Apple Vision Pro’s Best Feature Is Your Avatar. Could Personas End Up on an iPhone Next?
Hints of Apple’s first foldable phone
It’s unlikely that we’ll see Apple’s rumored first foldable phone at WWDC, but we might see iOS 27 features that point toward the possibility of one. Plenty of rumors are swirling about what we could expect, if so.
Reports say the phone could be called the iPhone Ultra, iPhone Flip or the iPhone Fold. Design leaks of Apple’s foldable phone resemble the wider book-style similar to Google’s original Pixel Fold. The battery could have a 5,500-mAh capacity, which is better than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Leakers predict a September launch and price between $2,000 and $2,500.
While a foldable iPhone has been rumored as far back as 2021, we’ll have to see if Apple provides any official hints of one at this year’s WWDC. If any new updates to iOS 27 happen to incorporate some of the multitasking features now available on the iPad, that could be as strong a clue as any that a foldable iPhone with a tablet-like display could be on the way.
Watch this: No Regular iPhone 18? Why Apple May Split the iPhone Event
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
