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AI
Apple is reportedly developing a feature for iOS 27 that would allow users to choose their preferred AI model for different tasks, moving away from a single built-in system.
Apple is reportedly working on a major shift in how artificial intelligence functions on its devices, with the upcoming iOS 27 update potentially allowing users to select their preferred AI model within the operating system rather than being locked into a single company-chosen option.
According to a new report from Bloomberg’s tech journalist Mark Gurman, Apple is developing an internal feature called “Extensions” that would let users pick which AI model to use with various Apple Intelligence tools. The concept mirrors how users currently choose a default web browser or email app on iOS.
Instead of forcing reliance on one model, users would be able to designate which AI service handles each function within the system—whether for writing tools, image generation, or the Siri voice assistant. For example, a user might select Claude for text editing and writing, Gemini for image creation and search, Perplexity for quick searches, and ChatGPT for coding and analysis—all without switching between apps or manually copying and pasting content.
Currently, most companies integrate a single AI model into their operating systems. Samsung and OnePlus phones rely primarily on Gemini, while Microsoft enforces Copilot within Windows. Motorola has gone a step further by embedding multiple models into its Moto AI platform, but it still pre-assigns which model handles each task. Apple’s approach appears to aim for an open AI service layer where the user decides the best model for each job.
Despite criticism over its slow entry into the AI race, some observers believe this strategy could give Apple a unique advantage. Rather than trying to outperform rivals with a single model, the company may transform into a platform that aggregates the best models within its ecosystem of over 2.5 billion active devices—iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Apple could also generate revenue from AI service subscriptions through the App Store, taking its standard cut from paid subscriptions like Claude Pro or Gemini Advanced.
Apple has not officially confirmed this information. Attention is now focused on the upcoming WWDC 2026 conference, where the company is expected to reveal the future of Apple Intelligence and possibly announce this new direction. If the leaks prove accurate, iOS 27 could mark the beginning of an era where the user—not the manufacturer—chooses the “brain” of their phone.
