In 2026, Apple will unveil the first foldable iPhone Ultra, and will update iOS 27 to match, with new features specifically designed for the foldable screen. But references to four functions have been found in Apple’s server code that will most likely appear in iOS 27. The most interesting one is the ability to turn any physical card into a digital pass for Apple Wallet. Less than two months remain until the official announcement: iOS 27 will be shown on June 8.
Apple revealed four iOS 27 features, including a long-awaited Wallet update
When Will iOS 27 Be Released
The four features were discovered by developer Nicolás Álvarez in Apple’s server code. The information was confirmed by the website MacRumors. This isn’t a final list of new features, but rather findings in the working backend code — meaning features that Apple is currently working on. Some of them may not make it to release or may change by the time of launch.
iOS 27 will be shown at WWDC 26
Officially, iOS 27 will be shown at WWDC 2026, which will run from June 8 to 12. The public beta is expected in July, and the final release in September alongside the new iPhones.
Product Recognition via iPhone Camera in iOS 27
Apple Intelligence will be able to recognize products
The first discovered feature is related to Visual Intelligence — a camera mode that recognizes objects in real time. According to the leak, in iOS 27 it will be able to scan product labels and display detailed information about ingredients.
There’s a possibility that this feature will be linked to the Health app for nutrition tracking. Bloomberg previously reported that Apple is working on an update to the Health app with new features for food monitoring. If label scanning is indeed combined with nutrition tracking, it will be a convenient tool for those who monitor their diet: point the camera at a package — and instantly see what’s inside.
Business Card Scanning on iPhone
The second Visual Intelligence feature is the ability to scan business cards and phone numbers and immediately add them to the Contacts app. This works on the same principle as the existing ability to add events to Calendar when pointing the camera at a poster or flyer.
In practice, this will come in handy at conferences, meetings, and events — instead of entering data manually, you just point the camera at a business card.
Tab Group Naming in Safari
Safari will get an AI-based feature that automatically assigns names to tab groups based on the content of open pages. If you group tabs by topic — work, travel, shopping — the system will suggest an appropriate name on its own.
The feature is small but useful for those who actively use tab groups and are tired of coming up with names for them manually every time. For everyone else, it will go unnoticed.
Tab groups in Safari with automatic names
Adding Cards to Apple Wallet in iOS 27
The most notable feature from the leak is the conversion of physical passes into digital ones for Apple Wallet. According to the description, you’ll simply need to scan the barcode on a card — a gym membership, event ticket, store loyalty card — and create its digital version right in Wallet.
You’ll be able to create digital passes and cards from physical ones
Currently, adding a card to Apple Wallet is only possible if the issuing company itself supports integration with Apple. For everything else, you have to use third-party apps like Wallet Creator, and the results aren’t always reliable.
Important context: Google added a similar “Everything else” feature to Google Wallet back in August 2024. It allows you to photograph any card with a barcode and turn it into a digital pass. Apple in this regard is about two years behind.
Everything Coming to iOS 27
All four features aren’t a revolution but rather targeted improvements that address specific inconveniences:
We’ll learn about the rest of iOS 27 features at the presentation
- Card digitization in Wallet — useful for anyone who carries loyalty cards or memberships that previously couldn’t be added to Wallet
- Label scanning — helpful for those who monitor their nutrition or want to understand product ingredients
- Contacts via camera — a small convenience for business meetings and events
- Auto-naming tabs in Safari — a minor feature that will simplify life for active tab group users
For now, all of this is based on rumors from server code, not a confirmed list of new features. Apple may delay or change any of these functions before the official announcement at WWDC in June. But if card digitization for Wallet does indeed appear in iOS 27, it will be one of the most practical app updates in recent years — especially for those who finally want to ditch the stack of plastic cards in their wallet.
