5 underrated iOS 27 features that make my iPhone way better - and none are Siri AI

2026-07-17 · Source: News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET · Field: Technology & Digital — Software Development & Engineering, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Novice, short

Summary

The iOS 27 public beta, announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2026, introduces several understated features enhancing the iPhone user experience beyond prominent Siri AI updates. Key improvements include Control Center optimizations, offering one-tap access to Wi-Fi and Mobile Data toggles and improved landscape orientation for brightness and volume controls. The Photos app gains a "Captured by Me" folder under Utilities, consolidating user-taken photos and videos. The keyboard now provides auto-paste suggestions for copied text, addresses, and screenshots directly in the suggestion bar. On-device dictation is enhanced with better context understanding, complex word recognition, and automatic removal of filler words, powered by Apple's AFM Core Advanced model. Finally, iOS 27 allows separate adjustment of ringer, alarm, and system volumes, addressing a long-standing user request. The stable build is anticipated in September, coinciding with the release of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra.

Key takeaway

For iPhone users considering the iOS 27 update, prioritize installing the public beta to experience significant quality-of-life improvements. You will gain finer control over system settings like independent volume adjustments and streamlined access to Control Center toggles. This update also enhances daily interactions through improved on-device dictation and quick auto-paste suggestions, making your device feel more intuitive and efficient. Plan to update in September for the stable release, especially if you are upgrading to an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone Ultra.

Key insights

iOS 27's subtle enhancements to core functionalities significantly improve daily iPhone usability and user control.

Principles

• Granular control improves user experience.
• On-device processing enhances dictation accuracy.
• Streamlined access to common toggles boosts efficiency.

Method

To enable Advanced Dictation Preview, navigate to Settings > General > Keyboard and toggle the feature on. Pin the "Captured by Me" folder in Photos for quick access.

In practice

• Test iOS 27 public beta for early access.
• Adjust ringer and alarm volumes independently.
• Utilize keyboard auto-paste for quick content transfer.

Topics

• iOS 27
• iPhone Software
• Control Center
• Photos App
• On-device Dictation
• Keyboard Features
• Volume Control

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET.