I’ve Been Using iOS 27 for Months. Here’s What’s Great and What Needs to Change
The new OS doesn’t feel like a total overhaul, but most of the changes consistently nudge things in a good direction.
On September 14, Apple unveiled iOS 27, an update that brought a mix of useful features and questionable changes. The update was available for download shortly after its announcement. The author of this account had been testing the beta versions of iOS 27 since June and noticed several improvements.
One notable feature is the new Liquid Glass slider, which allows users to adjust the transparency of various elements on their device. The author found that the frosted setting provided better readability, while still maintaining the sleek appearance. Another convenient addition is the ability to adjust the volumes of ringtones, alerts, and alarms independently. This feature allows users to customize their notification experience according to their preferences.
Siri AI, the digital assistant, made its return in iOS 27, though it remains in beta and is disabled by default. Users who want to use Siri AI must enable it manually. The author tested Siri AI's capabilities and found it useful for simple tasks like looking up driving directions and checking schedules. However, the assistant was not available on older iPhone models, such as the iPhone 14 or older.
Apple also made adjustments to Safari in iOS 27, including a new All Tabs icon and the return of the Bookmarks icon to the top of the new tab. Additionally, the Weather app received a small update, showing hour-by-hour forecasts for rain and wind conditions in the Conditions bar. Lastly, the update introduced a new timer window in the Control Center, making it easier for users to set custom countdowns.
Written by urgent.news from CNET's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.