Apple unveils iOS 27 AI wallpaper creator ahead of iPhone 18 Pro launch

Apple's iOS 27 update adds a built‑in tool for creating custom iPhone wallpapers using its revamped Image Playground AI. Users can generate images from text prompts or style existing photos, and the resulting pictures are automatically sized for the lock screen. The AI‑generated wallpapers appear in the new gallery with an Image Playground icon, and the feature can be accessed through Settings → Wallpaper → Add New Wallpaper.

The same software rollout previews Apple's upcoming hardware plans. Analysts expect Apple to announce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September, featuring a variable‑aperture camera system and the company's first foldable device. Despite rising component costs, Apple is rumored to keep pricing similar to the previous generation. The launch strategy may shift away from a single September event, spreading future iPhone releases across the year.