Apple is about to make Visual Intelligence far more accessible on iPhone. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, iOS 27 will add a new Siri Camera Mode directly inside the stock Camera app — joining the existing Photo and Video modes as a persistent toggle. The update transforms Apple’s camera into an always-ready AI assistant, and it includes several new practical capabilities that go beyond what the current Visual Intelligence feature offers.
What Is Siri Camera Mode in iOS 27?
Siri Camera Mode will appear as a new option inside the native Camera app, alongside Photo and Video. When activated, users can point the camera at anything and use it as the basis for a Siri query — either to Apple’s own AI or to ChatGPT, depending on the user’s preference.
Think of it as Visual Intelligence with a dedicated front door. Instead of needing to press and hold the Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 and newer models, the feature will be directly accessible from the Camera app’s mode selector. Apple is also giving it a visual identity: the shutter button will display an Apple Intelligence logo rather than the standard white circle when Siri Camera Mode is active.
This builds on the AI upgrades Apple has already been announcing for iOS 27. Earlier this month, we covered how iOS 27 is bringing major Apple Intelligence upgrades to the Photos app, including extending photos beyond their frames and a new AI-powered enhance tool.
New Capabilities: Nutrition Scanning and Contact Extraction
Two practical new capabilities are coming with the Siri Camera Mode in iOS 27.
The first is nutritional label scanning. Users will be able to point the camera at food packaging and Siri will extract and log the nutritional data automatically into a dietary tracking app. This bridges a gap that currently requires manual input or third-party apps — and it turns iPhone into a powerful tool for anyone tracking their eating habits.
The second is contact extraction. Pointing Siri Camera Mode at a business card, name badge, or any text containing contact details will allow iPhone to automatically populate a new contact entry. No manual typing required.
Both features are examples of Apple Intelligence doing practical, time-saving work in the background — which aligns with Apple’s stated philosophy that AI should stay out of the user’s way while doing useful things quietly.
How Is This Different From What Already Exists?
Apple introduced Visual Intelligence with the iPhone 16, accessible via the Camera Control button on the side of the device. The new Siri Camera Mode does not dramatically expand the underlying AI capabilities — it mainly makes the feature more visible and easier to reach for the majority of iPhone users who may not know the Camera Control button activates Visual Intelligence.
The new shutter button design in Siri Camera Mode also connects the experience visually to Apple Intelligence branding, making it clear to users that they are interacting with Apple’s AI layer rather than a standard camera function.
What Else Is Coming in iOS 27 for the Camera?
The camera updates in iOS 27 go beyond Siri Camera Mode. iOS 27 is expected to be the biggest Apple Intelligence release to date. Our WWDC 2026 preview outlines the full scope of what is expected at the June 8 keynote — including a major Siri overhaul, a new Siri app with conversation history, and support for third-party AI agents including Gemini, Claude, and Grok.
Apple is also opening Siri to rival AI assistants in iOS 27, meaning users will be able to route Siri Camera Mode queries to Gemini or other models if they prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Siri Camera Mode in iOS 27?
Siri Camera Mode is a new toggle in the iOS 27 Camera app that activates Visual Intelligence. Users can point their camera at anything and ask Siri a question about it, with results powered by Apple’s AI or ChatGPT.
Which iPhones will support Siri Camera Mode in iOS 27?
The Siri Camera Mode is expected to work on iPhone 16 and newer, as Apple Intelligence is required. Some features may extend to iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
Can you log nutrition data automatically with iOS 27?
Yes. One of the new iOS 27 Siri Camera Mode features allows users to scan nutritional labels and automatically log the data into a dietary tracking app.
When will iOS 27 be released?
iOS 27 will be previewed at WWDC 2026 on June 8, 2026. The public release is expected in fall 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 lineup.
Conclusion
Siri Camera Mode is a smart, practical addition to iOS 27. By surfacing Visual Intelligence directly in the Camera app rather than hiding it behind a hardware button, Apple is making AI assistance far more accessible to everyday users. Add in nutritional scanning and instant contact extraction, and the Camera app is quietly becoming one of the most useful AI tools on any smartphone platform.
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