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What’s New in iOS 27 Photos?
Apple’s native Photos app has long been a simple, reliable editor. iOS 27 changes that with three AI-powered tools that bring the iPhone closer to Google Pixel territory. Here’s what you need to know based on the developer beta.
| Feature | What It Does | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Up 2.0 | Remove unwanted objects/photobombers from photos | Actually good now |
| Extend | Expand photo edges with AI-generated content | Convincing but limited |
| Spatial Reframing | Reframe photos by shifting the 3D perspective | Ambitious and impressive |
Clean Up 2.0: Finally Works
The original Clean Up tool in iOS 26 was underwhelming. It relied entirely on on-device AI models that struggled with convincing details. With iOS 27, Apple added cloud-based AI processing — similar to Google’s approach.
Clean Up 2.0 can now remove strangers from backgrounds, erase unwanted objects, and fill in gaps with realistic textures. In testing, most scenarios produce clean results without weird artifacts. For everyday use — removing a photobomber or cleaning up a messy background — it gets the job done.
Extend: Cropping in Reverse
Ever taken a photo that was framed too tightly? Extend lets you stretch the edges of your image outward, and AI paints in plausible filler content. Think of it as reverse cropping.
Apple has kept this tool conservative on purpose. It won’t add people or major new elements. It’s best at extending landscapes, walls, and symmetrical scenes. One tester found it accurately added a side mirror to a rally car that was partially out of frame.
Spatial Reframing: The Standout Feature
This is the most ambitious tool. Spatial Reframing builds on existing 3D depth mapping to let you recompose a photo as if you physically moved the camera. You can subtly shift the perspective — stepping left, right, or adjusting the angle after the fact.
It won’t let you move far — about arm’s length — but it’s enough to fix that slightly-off composition. The Verge calls it “the most ambitious and maybe the most problematic of the three” — a fitting description for a feature that bends the definition of photography.
FAQ
Q: Which iPhones support iOS 27?
A: iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 and later. An iPhone from 2019 gets the new OS while some Apple Watches from 2022 don’t — a curious decision from Apple.
Q: Is Clean Up free to use?
A: Yes, Clean Up is included in iOS 27’s Photos app with no extra cost or subscriptions.
Q: Can I undo AI edits?
A: Yes. All AI edits are non-destructive — you can revert to the original photo at any time.
Q: When will iOS 27 be available to everyone?
A: The developer beta is out now. A public beta typically follows in July, with a full release in September alongside new iPhone models.
Final Verdict
iOS 27’s AI photo editing tools are a meaningful step forward for iPhone photography. Clean Up 2.0 finally delivers on the promise of easy object removal. Extend is a useful tool for landscape photographers. And Spatial Reframing is a glimpse into where computational photography is heading.
Score: 8/10 — Apple is catching up fast in the AI photo editing space, and these tools work well enough to change how you edit photos on your iPhone.
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