Apple's iOS 27 adds AI photo editing with Clean Up, Extend, and Spatial Reframing

Apple's iOS 27, announced at WWDC 2026, brings native AI photo editing to iPhone for the first time. The update includes three features: Clean Up (object removal), Extend (edge expansion), and Spatial Reframing (3D perspective shift). Clean Up, previously criticized for poor on-device results, now leverages cloud-based models to convincingly remove photobombers and artifacts. Extend adds plausible filler to tight compositions but avoids altering people and limits expansion to prevent abuse. Spatial Reframing builds on existing depth features to let users reframe photos as if they moved the camera, though only within arm's reach.

While these tools are less aggressive than Google's Magic Editor or Samsung's Galaxy AI, they represent a tipping point for iPhone photography. Clean Up works reliably for removing distractions, Extend handles symmetry well (e.g., adding a missing car mirror), and Spatial Reframing appeals to perfectionists who missed the perfect composition. However, the article notes concerns about authenticity—Extend occasionally invents objects like potted plants, and Spatial Reframing raises questions about what constitutes a 'real' photo. The features are in beta, so adjustments are expected before public release.