Key facts
- macOS 27 Golden Gate integrates Apple Intelligence, a large language model-based overhaul of Siri.
- Apple Intelligence features are primarily driven by Apple-developed models, with on-device and cloud-based options.
- The advanced Apple Intelligence model requires an M3-family processor and 12GB of RAM.
- macOS 27 Golden Gate requires an Apple M-series chip or newer, ending support for Intel-based Macs.
- This is the last version of macOS to support Rosetta for running older Intel-based applications.
Apple has released its latest operating system updates, including macOS 27 Golden Gate, which prominently features its new Apple Intelligence capabilities. This marks a significant shift as AI becomes an unavoidable and integrated part of the user experience, particularly with the overhaul of the Siri voice assistant. The new Siri can understand natural language requests, interact with applications, and access user history like emails and text messages. Other AI features include generating automations from prompts and enhanced photo editing. These AI functions are powered by a suite of Apple-developed models, including on-device options like AFM 3 Core (3 billion parameters) and AFM 3 Core Advanced (20 billion parameters), as well as more powerful cloud-based models. Beyond AI, macOS 27 Golden Gate includes refinements to the 'Liquid Glass' design, allowing users to adjust transparency, and numerous small design tweaks based on user feedback. The update also brings quality-of-life improvements and performance enhancements, such as HDR support for system UI elements and better external monitor compatibility. Notably, macOS 27 Golden Gate is the final version of the operating system to support Rosetta, the technology that enables Apple Silicon Macs to run older Intel-based applications. This signifies the complete transition away from Intel processors for Macs. iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 and later, but Siri AI requires an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 or later. macOS 27 Golden Gate requires an M-series Mac. Support for older macOS versions, like macOS 26 Tahoe and macOS 15 Sequoia, will continue until 2027 and 2028, respectively.