Apple is set to completely revamp its iPhone Camera app in iOS 27. The most exciting change? Customizable widgets that allow users to rearrange and personalize their shooting interface, according to a recent report from Mashable.
This update will mark a major redesign of the Camera app, shifting away from its fixed layout to something users can tailor to their shooting style.
What’s Actually Changing
The redesign revolves around widgets—small interactive shortcuts, similar to tiles on a dashboard, directly integrated into the Camera app. Instead of hiding settings like aspect ratio, exposure controls, or photo styles in menus, users will pin their most-used tools right on the screen.
Imagine your iPhone’s home screen, where you can place a weather widget or a calendar snapshot. The Camera app would function in the same way, letting you create a layout that suits your photo-taking habits—whether you’re shooting a lot of video, capturing quick portraits of your kids, or fine-tuning manual settings as a hobbyist.
iOS 27 is also expected to feature a redesigned Siri app with a full chat interface. This suggests that Apple is refreshing several of its core first-party apps in a meaningful way.
Why Apple Is Doing This Now
Apple’s Camera app has maintained a consistent layout for years, even while the hardware continues to improve dramatically. The iPhone 16 lineup introduced Camera Control, a dedicated hardware button for shooting, along with expanded photographic styles, but the app’s interface hasn’t kept up.
Third-party camera apps like Halide and Camera+ have long provided more flexible, customizable interfaces. A widget-based redesign would let Apple close that gap without forcing users to switch to another app.
There’s also competition to consider. Samsung’s Galaxy camera interface and Google’s Pixel Camera app both offer more modular experiences. As Apple dives deeper into computational photography—using software and AI to enhance images—it makes sense to give users greater control over their interfaces.
What This Means
This change could make everyday photography a lot easier for most iPhone users. Currently, switching between common settings requires tapping through several layers of the app. A widget-based layout would put those controls front and center, which is crucial in fast-paced situations—like capturing kids at a birthday party, a sunset you have just 90 seconds to snap, or a concert with constantly changing lighting.
Power users will benefit even more. Those who rely on third-party camera apps for better layouts and quicker access to manual controls might finally find that the stock Camera app meets their needs.
This change also prepares Apple’s camera software for the rumored iPhone Fold, which is expected to have unique shooting configurations that a more flexible interface could accommodate.
The Folding iPhone Connection
Speaking of the iPhone Fold, a recent survey cited by 9to5Mac revealed that over 10% of current iPhone users are considering a folding iPhone. While price may be a significant barrier, interest is definitely there. A redesigned Camera app that adapts to different screen configurations would be a perfect match for a foldable phone.
| 10%+ | iPhone owners currently interested in a folding iPhone, per survey |
| iOS 27 | Expected to be announced at Apple’s WWDC developer conference in June 2026 |
| 2+ | Major first-party app redesigns reported for iOS 27 (Camera, Siri) |
Community Reactions
“Finally. I’ve been using Halide for two years just because the native app makes me go three taps deep to change something I use every single time I open it.”
“Widgets inside the Camera app sounds messy to me. The reason I like it is because it’s simple. Hope Apple doesn’t overcrowd the viewfinder.”
What To Watch
- WWDC 2026 (June): Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is when iOS 27 will be officially announced and detailed. We’ll get a first look at the Camera redesign in action.
- Developer betas: After WWDC, developer previews will provide a clearer view of how the widget system works and how much customization is available.
- iPhone Fold announcement: If the folding iPhone launches this fall alongside iOS 27, the Camera app redesign may introduce features specifically designed for that device’s unique form factor.
- Third-party camera app response: Keep an eye on whether apps like Halide and Camera+ update their interfaces in response to Apple closing the feature gap.
Ava Mitchell
Ava Mitchell is a digital culture journalist at Explosion.com covering social media platforms, streaming services, and the creator economy. With 4 years reporting on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and the apps that shape daily life, Ava specializes in explaining platform policy changes and their impact on everyday users. She previously managed social media strategy for a tech startup, giving her firsthand experience with the platforms she now covers.
